Tourism businesses do not always need to appeal to everyone. By focusing on a particular activity, interest or visitor need, businesses in Omagh and across County Tyrone can create distinctive experiences, reach new customers and encourage people to stay longer in the area.
Known as niche tourism, this can include outdoor activities, food, crafts, heritage, sustainability, golf, screen tourism and business events.
Outdoor and nature-based tourism
Omagh is well placed as a base for visitors exploring rural County Tyrone. Businesses can build packages combining accommodation, food, transport and guided outdoor experiences.
Nature-based tourism can include walking, cycling, fishing, forests, gardens and water activities. There is also strong potential in “soft adventure” experiences that are suitable for families, beginners and visitors who do not want highly strenuous activities.
Local opportunities could include guided countryside walks, wellbeing experiences, cycle-friendly accommodation, picnic packages, equipment hire and accessible outdoor activities for disabled visitors.
Even where walking or cycling routes are free, visitors still spend money on accommodation, food, refreshments, transport and local services.
Food tourism
Food is a major part of the visitor experience and creates opportunities for restaurants, cafés, pubs, farms, food producers, markets and cookery businesses.
Omagh and County Tyrone businesses could offer tasting menus, farm visits, food trails, baking workshops, producer demonstrations and visitor hampers featuring local products.
Collaboration is important. A food producer may not operate as a traditional tourism business but could work with a hotel, tour guide or restaurant to become part of a wider package.
Craft and creative tourism
Visitors often want authentic products and experiences connected to the place they are visiting.
County Tyrone has opportunities to develop craft tourism through studio visits, demonstrations, exhibitions and workshops involving jewellery, textiles, woodwork, photography, art, food and drink.
Businesses could allow visitors to meet makers, see how products are created or produce their own souvenir. Clear signage, online booking and partnerships with accommodation providers can also help visitors find rural workshops outside Omagh.
Culture and heritage
Culture and heritage tourism can include historic sites, local stories, museums, music, genealogy, art and traditional events.
Businesses in Omagh and County Tyrone could develop heritage walks, storytelling tours, traditional music evenings, local history events or packages linked to festivals and attractions.
The most memorable experiences often involve direct contact with local people and stories, rather than simply presenting information.
Golf, screen and business tourism
Golf tourism creates benefits well beyond the golf course. Accommodation providers, restaurants and transport businesses can work with clubs to offer overnight stays, dining packages, transport and alternative activities for accompanying family members.
Film and television can also influence travel. Businesses may explore themed events, screenings, creative workshops or services for production teams filming in the area.
Business tourism offers another opportunity. Omagh could host small conferences, corporate away days, meetings and countryside retreats. Venues, accommodation providers, caterers, transport operators and activity businesses can work together to offer complete packages.
Build sustainability and accessibility into the offer
Sustainable tourism can reduce costs, support the local economy and appeal to environmentally conscious visitors.
Businesses can source food locally, reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and encourage visitors to support nearby shops and services.
Accessibility should also be considered from the beginning. Clear information, step-free access, suitable toilets, accessible transport and flexible activities can make tourism experiences available to a much wider market.
By working together and making better use of County Tyrone’s landscapes, culture, food and creativity, Omagh businesses can create tourism experiences that are distinctive, inclusive and rooted in the local area.
