Billion-euro investment aims to boost cross-border tourism across the island of Ireland
A €1bn programme targeting rail connectivity, regional attractions, and cross-border cooperation aims to encourage international visitors to explore more of the island beyond its traditional tourism gateways
Tourism Ireland used last week’s World Travel Market (WTM) London to showcase €1 billion of investment in tourism infrastructure, transport links, and visitor attractions designed to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Funded through the Irish government’s Shared Island Initiative, the programme aims to improve connectivity, encourage cross-border itineraries, and unlock the tourism potential of regional destinations.
A major focus is the Dublin–Belfast–Derry transport corridor, with €190 million allocated to rail infrastructure upgrades to increase capacity and reduce journey times. This complements a €700 million commitment to a new generation of Enterprise trains serving Dublin and Belfast.
Other projects include the restoration of the Ulster Canal and proposed Narrow Water Bridge, alongside the expansion of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands tourism brand into County Fermanagh. The initiative brings attractions including Lough Erne, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, and Marble Arch Caves into a broader regional proposition.
The strategy comes amid strong inbound demand. Ireland welcomed almost 5.3 million overseas visitors between January and September 2026, up 9% year on year, while visitor spending rose 11% to €4.6 billion.
Around 80 tourism businesses from across the island joined Tourism Ireland at WTM, which took place at Excel London from 3–5 November, to meet international travel buyers.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is a Junior Editor at Voyageur Group, having joined in 2024. She writes for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.