Mr. Colin Neill:

I will be as brief as I can because I realise we are pushed for time. There were questions about the impact of conflicts around the world on our accommodation sector. There are some differences. With Ukraine, the UK Government chose schemes to put people in private dwellings and support that approach. We have not had the same pressure but some hotels are holding people who are seeking asylum and are in that immigration process. However, it has not had the same consequences. Some of our colleagues down South, and we have worked a lot with partners in the South, have said they have seen a drop in footfall and food and beverage spending because the country does not have the accommodation levels to cope.

Joining the Wild Atlantic Way, the Causeway Coastal Route and other routes makes total sense. Northern Ireland wants to grow tourism, and indeed the island does. We have to look more at getting people to stay and spend for longer. We are moving into a different world of environmental impact on travel. As we grow tourism, we must learn from around the globe about the impact on communities. We have to do tourism with communities and not to them. We cannot impose tourism. Our rural communities must see the benefits as well. They cannot just be places to which coaches arrive, people get off to take a picture and move on. It is important that as we grow tourism, we approach it in an holistic way. We must connect our main offers and try to get people to stay longer.

Both my colleagues have touched on infrastructure, which is key for our hospitality and tourism sectors. It is not just about our road network but also our air and sea networks. There are particular opportunities for air travel. Dublin Airport is reaching capacity. There is an opportunity to develop the international airport in the North. We need significant numbers of flights to arrive, North and South, from our key markets. That would help to benefit everybody across the island.