Consultation | Northern Ireland’s visitor/tourist accommodation sector

Share your thoughts on the statutory regulation of tourist accommodation

The Department for the Economy, in consultation with Tourism NI, is seeking to obtain the views of stakeholders, including industry groups, accommodation operators and the general public, on proposed amendments to the regulatory arrangements concerning the minimum quality standards and statutory requirements of Northern Ireland’s visitor/tourist accommodation sector. This includes Hotels, B&Bs and Self-Catering Establishments etc.

Under The Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, all overnight visitor/tourist accommodation, offered by way of trade or business, in Northern Ireland is subject to regular inspection and compulsory certification within a statutory category of tourist accommodation in order to legally operate. Certification is administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (trading as Tourism NI).

The current eight statutory categories of tourist accommodation which all accommodation establishments are classified into are:

• Hotels
• Guest Houses
• Bed and Breakfast Establishments
• Self-Catering Establishments
• Hostels
• Bunk House
• Campus Accommodation
• Guest Accommodation

Each statutory category has individually specified criteria denoting the minimum level, quality and provision of standards, cleanliness, maintenance, safety, essential facilities and comfort etc. that an establishment must provide/achieve in order to be awarded a certification by Tourism NI and operate. These statutory criteria are set out in regulations.

The last review of these regulatory arrangements took place in 2011. Since then, there has been significant changes in market trends regarding the types of visitor/tourist accommodation being provided by industry, as well as a change to the minimum standards and offerings visitors expect. To ensure these regulations address the current and future needs of the tourism industry, as well as its domestic and international customers, DfE is seeking views on proposals to update, modernise and strengthen these standards and regulatory arrangements.

Your input will ensure that the proposed amendments:

• are robust and efficient enough to ensure minimum quality accommodation offerings across Northern Ireland which meet and surpass the expectations of modern-day visitors/tourists;
• promote regulatory clarity and flexibility to facilitate innovation; and
• better reflect contemporary tourism trends, visitor/tourist expectations and industry innovations/standards.

How to respond to this consultation

Respond to this consultation online.

First published 12 November 2025