To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in relation to protecting our natural resources, to outline the work being conducted by his Department to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.

My Department is providing grant aid through the Environment Fund and the Rural Tourism Scheme to enhance the provision and sustainability of visitor attractions and outdoor recreation. The Rural Tourism Scheme aims to create unique and innovative visitor attractions in rural areas through investing in natural and built heritage projects which aim to encourage out of state visitors to dwell longer and increase overnight stays.

My Department is planning to launch a public consultation on a new Rural Policy Framework later this summer and one of the thematic pillars within the framework is Sustainable Tourism and how we can maximise the contribution it makes to rural society.

My Department is providing grant aid through the Environment Fund for the delivery of the Right Side of Outside campaign by Outdoor Recreation NI to encourage responsible behaviours when enjoying outdoor recreation, which is currently a sizeable portion of our current tourism.