Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons outlines how to protect CAST sector in 2019 and beyond at the event in Belfast.
Maintaining cross-border collaboration and strengthening connections between culture, arts, sport and tourism (CAST) sectors post-Brexit were the subjects for discussion at this morning's #Agenda2018 seminar hosted by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Belfast.
The sixth in its series, the #Agenda2018 event showcased the numerous sporting, cultural and tourism organisations and agencies that successfully operate on an all-Ireland basis and debated the impact Brexit would have on those connections.
The CEO of Ireland's most successful all-island body Niall Gibbons provided the keynote address, outlining how cross-border collaboration has enabled the strong growth in tourism numbers in recent years and how Tourism Ireland will seek to protect those ties when the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU.
Speaking at the seminar, the Director-General of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce John McGrane said:
"Today&'s event shines an important spotlight on the need to not only protect but to strengthen cross-border ties in the culture, arts, sport and tourism sectors. Tourism Ireland is but one example of how all-island collaboration can unlock unlimited opportunities for businesses and organisations on both sides of the border. Additional funding for the body in Budget 2019 will prove critical in ensuring that the body can mitigate the risks of Brexit on all-island tourism."
Following remarks by Lord Ian Duncan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, a panel of experts from across the CAST sector outlined how the importance of north-south collaboration and how organisations can foster close ties going forward.
The panel of speakers also included Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen
Click here for more information on #Agenda2018.