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Welcome to the Tourism Newsletter!
Here's some things to look out for this week:
As always please don't hesitate to get in touch with the team for further advice and support.
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Opportunities for Financial Support
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Enterprise Fund now OPEN
Council's annual Enterprise Fund is now open for online applications from businesses trading less than two years AND who have a business plan that is less than two years old. Businesses can apply for 100% of project costs up to a maximum of £5000. The total cost of the project must not exceed £10,000. Applications close on Friday 14th May 2021. CLICK HERE for more information and guidance notes or CLICK HERE to begin your application.
YES YOU CAN £20K Pitching Competition
Yes You Can is a 3-year female enterprise programme delivered by Women in Business throughout Northern Ireland in collaboration with the 11 Local Councils and Invest NI. This competition provides female entrepreneurs with a platform to pitch their business idea. Pitching applications close on Friday 23rd April 2021. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS)
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), which launched last week, provides financial support to businesses affected by Covid-19. You can use the finance for any legitimate business purpose – including managing cashflow, investment and growth. However, you must be able to afford to take out additional debt finance for these purposes. If your business has already borrowed from any of the other coronavirus loan schemes – (BBLS; CBILS; CLBILS) - RLS is still open to you, although the amount you have borrowed under an existing scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount you may borrow under RLS. CLICK HERE for details.
JOBSTART: funding to create job opportunities in your business
Employers in Northern Ireland can receive 100% government funding to create six-month job opportunities for 16-24 year-olds who are not in employment. Young people participating in JobStart will be supported through their job opportunity by Youth Work Coaches in the Department for Communities. Employers can stagger the start dates of the job opportunities up until the end of March 2022. CLICK HERE to find out more.
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The next Innovation Voucher call is open until Friday 30 April. Businesses can apply for a £5,000 Innovation Voucher to work with a public sector knowledge provider, for example a university, a college or Institute of Technology, on an innovation project. The voucher allows you to access the skills and expertise of these providers to help you create or improve products and services. CLICK HERE to find out more and complete InvestNI's application form.
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The Government is providing up to £210m worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas. Vouchers worth up to £1,500 for homes and £3,500 for businesses are available to help cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband to your doorstep. Check HERE if you’re eligible for a voucher and find out more.
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Support and Advice for the Self-employed
CLICK HERE for an overview of the support and help available to self-employed individuals during the COVID-19 disruption.
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Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust and Ulster University are now welcoming applications for the Northword Creative Practitioner project. They are calling upon local Creatives located within the Causeway Coast & Glens and Mid & East Antrim Borough Council areas to avail of this opportunity by taking inspiration from one of the stories gathered to create a showcase piece (ranging from crafts, jewellery, textiles and art to music, film, photography, dance, and theatre).
There are five development grants available for creative practitioners. Please note an international shortlisting process will take place following the application deadline. The Application pack including eligibility criteria can be found HERE.
The deadline for application is Monday 26th April 2021 2:00pm. Completed applications should be submitted via the application portal on https://northwordni.org/
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International AppalachianTrail:
Promotional Opportunity
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Outdoor Recreation NI are delivering a large scale marketing project for the IAT route, including the development of a brand new website, route leaflet, videos and photography, plus marketing campaigns in Ireland and America.
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Outdoor Recreation NI are hoping to gauge interest from local businesses close to the route, who would like to provide services for walkers and would like to be included in promotional activity for the route. Interested businesses will be given support on tailoring their offering to walkers, including a series of webinars providing information on what services will be needed, what opportunities exist and support for developing IAT Ulster-Ireland experiences, which will be promoted on the new website and within the marketing campaigns in Ireland and USA. To register your interest complete their short online survey. |
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NEW info on Binevenagh AONB Website
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Check out the updated Binevenagh AONB website, which now includes information about the Landscape Partnership and project plans over the coming years. |
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Public views sought for new NI Energy Strategy
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The Department for the Economy has launched the Policy Options Consultation Paper for the new Energy Strategy, which will be published by the end of 2021.
The consultation seeks views on potential options for achieving net zero carbon and affordable energy. It concentrates on the vital role that both domestic and business consumers alongside the energy industry will have to play on this journey. CLICK HERE to find out more.
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Latest Consumer Sentiment Analysis
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Tourism NI’s Consumer Sentiment Analysis gives in depth analysis on consumer confidence, propensity to travel and consumer concerns. Findings from the most recent edition include:
- Optimism continues to gradually improve, indications NI staycations likely to return mid-summer. Evidence of pent up demand for holidays abroad points to strong competition that is likely to grow in coming months.
- Escapism and the desire to reduce stress are what people are looking forward to most for their future break – as long as they can do it safely!
- Consumer expectations confirm that, alongside safety and cost factors, flexible booking with a cancellation option is key to encouraging bookings.
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Hospitality & Tourism Recovery Training
A Hospitality and Tourism Recovery Training Programme has been announced designed to provide a skills-led approach to supporting managers in the industry as they move through the pandemic restrictions into recovery ahead. The bespoke training is aimed at Hospitality and Tourism industry managers and technical specialists of all levels, with an Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) / Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 accredited qualification also on offer to eligible businesses. CLICK HERE to register and find out more.
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Chartered Management Institute training course on Innovation & Change
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Northern Regional College will be delivering a fully funded Level 6 Chartered Management Institute training course on Innovation & Change from 21 April for 10 weeks. For more information or to apply for this training, contact Marie Donaghy via email or phone 07899915708. |
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Other Training Opportunities
For details on other training opportunities which are currently available, including FREE Skills Focus Programmes and Marketing Courses with NRC and NWRC, visit our trade engagement pages HERE.
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Management Skills Spotlight Series 14 April - 5 May (various dates)
Themes include:
- Skills Support
- Attraction & Retention of Staff
- Building Resilience
- Changing Customer Service Needs
Technical Skills Series 6 May - 3 June (various dates)
Workshops include:
- Using AR & VR Technologies for Tourism Businesses
- Cut it, Cook it, Quaff it
- Baking & Patisserie Skills for Industry
- The Art of Cocktail Making
- Birds, Boning & Brines
- Chocolatier Workshop
- Introduction to podcasting for tourism businesses
Leadership & Management Qualification 27 April - 24 June (various dates)
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See the full list of upcoming TNI TED webinars HERE or you can playback all Tourism NI's previous webinars HERE
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Alchemy in collaboration with the Labour Relations Agency are hosting webinar on...Social Media and the Employment Relationship
Who is this for?
There are very few of us remaining who don’t have some sort of social media presence or don’t interact, on a frequent basis, within a social media platform. That degree of participation means that inevitably social media has, and will continue to have, an impact on the employment relationship.
This session will introduce some of the key topics affecting employers and line managers in a workplace setting – such as:
- Social media policies – what they should contain and why are they of use
- Monitoring and GDPR issues
- Improper use of social media – when, how and if employers should take action
Registration will close at 3.00pm Monday 19th April 2021. Late Registrations will not be accepted. Webinar will be delivered via Zoom. Details on how to join the webinar will be sent in a separate email prior to event.
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Upcoming Webinars with Invest NI
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CLICK HERE for latest restrictions and regulations. This will be reviewed again TOMORROW 15 April 2021.
Guidance for retailers permitted to provide contactless click-and-collect services in Northern Ireland.
CLICK HERE for example risk assessment template which shows the kind of approach HSENI expects a small business or workplace to take when carrying out a risk assessment for COVID-19 in the workplace.
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'We're Good to Go': ARE YOU?
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With health and safety now being at the top of consumers minds, getting YOUR safety message across is paramount in gaining consumer confidence in booking a place to stay, a place to eat, an activity or an attraction. It only takes a few minutes, is free of charge and you can register HERE.
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DOWNLOAD your ‘We’re Good To Go’ Global ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp NOW from the World Travel & Tourism Council
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All UK businesses that have registered for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard are automatically eligible for and able to download the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) international ‘Safe Travels’ stamp. CLICK HERE and follow the instructions to download the stamp.
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Keep your entry on DiscoverNI Up-to-date!
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Did you know that the content that you supply to DiscoverNI will also populate the VisitCausewayCoastandGlens.com site, as well as Ireland.com?
It is therefore vitally important that you review your entry on www.discovernorthernireland.com, reviewing imagery and content for accuracy, in particular to both the domestic and ROI markets. If you need any assistance E engagement@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.
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Please call or email the tourism team with any queries or concerns and we will do our very best to help you or direct you to those who can.
Email us at engagement@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
Contact Vicky T 07591 837841
Mon & Tues 9am-5pm;
Wed 9am-12.30pm
Contact Siobhan T 07591 837848
Tues & Thurs 9am-5pm;
Wed 9am-12.30pm
Follow us on Twitter @CCAGTourismTeam for updates.
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