Tourism NI rolls out new website for Causeway Coast & Glens

The first phase of the project was the development of Discover Northern Ireland’s consumer website, which successfully launched in 2020, followed by a series of regional sites in line with Tourism NI’s destination brand, Embrace a Giant Spirit.

Local councils who availed of the digital transformation funding along with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council were Ards and North Down Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and Mid Ulster District Council.

Tourism NI partnered with creative e-tourism agency Simpleview to deliver the project. Claire Cromie, Tourism NI’s Digital Programme Lead said: “We have enjoyed working with Simpleview who are best known for producing destination marketing solutions to support our local authorities. Our main goal was to set up a collaborative and synchronised online presentation of Northern Ireland tourism across the destination, and we have surpassed expectations.”

She added: “Each website is based on the design of our consumer website, Discover Northern Ireland, but has been modified to incorporate the Councils’ unique branding and content. Councils can now freely access and share data with each other and Tourism NI through a system set up by Simpleview.

“The Councils have worked hard on these websites and we are delighted they are now live. We are excited to continue working with them as we continue to build Northern Ireland’s profile through inspirational digital solutions.”

Richard Veal, Managing Director of Simpleview Europe adds: “Simpleview is delighted to have been involved with this ambitious project. Our e-Tourism solution was designed specifically for this type of implementation where destinations can share a technology platform and leverage all the economies of scale that come with that whilst also maintaining their own individual presence under their own brand.

“TNI and all its destination partners have been a joy to work with and have taken part in what I believe will become an exemplar project in destination marketing. We are fully committed to working with all the stakeholders to ensure that the project achieves its full potential and look forward to working with everybody in the year ahead.”

Kerrie McGonigle, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Destination Manager said: “The new website has been instrumental in improving the overall marketing efforts of our tourism team. With improved design and functionality, users are taking more time to explore our online presence and our bounce rate has decreased dramatically from 79% to 8%.

“A key feature for us is the ease with which we can use the website to promote our area’s fabulous tourism businesses and activity providers, thanks to the use of a new system which allows us to share updated product information with Tourism NI and vice versa.

“We’re now working with our tourism and hospitality providers to ensure they are availing of a free listing on the site which is beneficial for them as well.

“By working together in this way, we want to promote all that the Causeway Coast and Glens has to offer in terms of great places to stay, where to eat and drink including our unrivalled local produce, and the many exciting activities we have to offer so prospective visitors convert their website visit into a stay in our destination.”