Unionist parties react to Tourism NI increasing its funding for the West Belfast Festival

The UUP and TUV contrasted it with a lack of support for the Twelfth, whilst the DUP demanded to know what party the Sinn Fein economy minister had played in the decision.

It comes in the wake of News Letter articles about Tourism Northern Ireland in recent weeks, concerning how the agency has increasingly been using the phrase “the North” to refer to Northern Ireland.

The trend began after Sinn Fein took over control of Tourism NI’s parent body, the Department for the Economy, in 2024.

Today, the department issued a press release which said Tourism NI’s funding for this year’s West Belfast Festival was up by 13%.

For some reason, the department omitted to mention how much money this involved.

When pressed, it said the Tourism NI funding for this year's feile was £65,000, and offered no explanation for why it hadn’t just said so in the first place.

The sum is relatively small in terms of the festival’s overall funding; its most recent accounts show Belfast City Council to be the biggest funder, at about £500,000.

TUV councillor Matthew Warwick, the party’s culture spokesman, said that this funding boost would have come “at the direction of the Sinn Fein minister”, Caoimhe Archibald (whilst the department’s press release had said she merely “welcomes” the increase).

He added that it “stands in sharp contrast” to the agency’s approach to the Twelfth.

He said: “In recent years, Tourism Northern Ireland has not only failed to provide anything approaching this scale of support for the Twelfth, but last year Discover Northern Ireland [a brand of Tourism NI] even published a social media post promoting upcoming Belfast events which ignored Twelfth celebrations altogether, despite including events such as Belfast Pride and Feile an Phobail.

“Such double standards only reinforce the perception that the political establishment has money for everything – so long as it does not involve the promotion of Unionist culture and identity.”

UUP deputy leader Diana Armstrong said: “While any investment in Northern Ireland’s cultural and tourism offering is to be welcomed, it is deeply disappointing that Tourism NI and this Minister continue to overlook the Twelfth of July, the largest single cultural event on our calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of people in a celebration of community, family and heritage.

"August Feile receives support, yet Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural expression remains locked out of this funding, and that double standard cannot continue.”

And DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said she has “submitted a written question to the economy minister seeking clarity on what role she played in this decision and what discussions took place around the increase in funding”.

She added: “Many taxpayers will struggle to understand why Tourism NI has deemed it appropriate to increase funding by 13% at a time when many other worthwhile community and tourism organisations across Northern Ireland are facing intense financial pressures and fighting for limited support.

"That concern will be felt particularly strongly in rural parts of Northern Ireland, where tourism potential is too often overlooked while additional funding continues to flow elsewhere.

"In South Down we continue to see huge untapped tourism opportunities around the Mourne Mountains and along our coastline, yet projects struggle to secure investment and progress.

"At the same time, local tourism has also suffered setbacks such as the loss of the Carlingford Ferry service.”

Dr Archibald said: “This investment recognises the festival’s importance not only as a cornerstone of our cultural calendar, but also as a key driver of tourism and economic activity.

"It offers visitors an authentic experience of our music, arts, and community spirit, while also encouraging them to explore everything our region has to offer.”