Ulster tourist body closes today

Ireland’s oldest tourism promotion body closed its doors today after almost 80 years in business.

The Ulster Tourism Development Association (UTDA) was set up in 1923 as part of a joint initiative involving local authorities, businesses, seaside resorts and transport companies.

The voluntary association opened the first tourist information office in Belfast in 1929 and created the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in 1948, which was the first such organisation established in the UK or Ireland, and which continues to operate today.

Elizabeth Johnston, UTDA Secretary, said the ground-breaking organisation achieved many significant milestones due to a fundamental belief that tourism in Northern Ireland had a future.

“The UTDA battled hard from its inception to promote Northern Ireland internationally as a tourism destination,” she said.

“It is with mixed feelings that we close the association down but our legacy is a mature tourism industry which now receives the support in training and funding we always maintained it should have.”