Japanese travel writers visit Causeway Coast

Carefully selected and invited here by Tourism Ireland in Japan, their itinerary was designed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

The Japanese visitors experienced a city tour in Belfast before they travelled along the Causeway Coastal Route, visiting the Giant’s Causeway and the Old Bushmills Distillery.

After an overnight stay at the Bushmills Inn, the group enjoyed a guided tour of the walled city of Derry.

Jim Paul, Tourism Ireland’s Head of New and Developing Markets, said: “We are delighted to welcome these Japanese travel writers to Northern Ireland.

“The aim is that when these writers return home they are better equipped to put into words what a holiday in this part of the world entails, thereby encouraging more Japanese to come here and experience it for themselves.

“Japan is one of our emerging markets which also include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, India and the Middle East.

“These markets represent good potential for tourism to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland; visitors from these markets stay twice as long as the average holidaymaker and have the highest spend per visit.”