Tourism NI has launched 14 immersive America250 visitor experiences to spotlight Northern Ireland’s enduring links with the United States, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.

Developed with industry partners and supported by the Department for Communities' USA-NI250 Scheme, the programme blends historical authenticity, community involvement and creative storytelling to engage visitors around shared heritage.

The new offer spans jewellery-making, Irish whiskey evenings, genealogy and ancestry research, guided walks and an Ancestral Cottage Trail, designed to deepen connections with the stories of Ulster-Scots, Scotch-Irish and Irish migration and influence.

Launched this week at McConnell's Distillery, the experiences are located in and around Belfast, the North West, Mid Ulster and the counties of Antrim and Down.

Tourism NI says the US remains a key market. In 2025, American visitors made 186,000 trips to Northern Ireland, staying 638,000 nights and spending £54 million, underlining the scope for further growth.

Earlier this year, Tourism NI sought proposals that are place-based, culturally rooted and reflect diverse narratives from the late 18th Century, including Ulster-Scots, Scotch-Irish and Irish contributions to American history. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: "The connections on this island with America run deep. There are centuries of shared history, from the Ulster influence on the Declaration of Independence, to the migration of Ulster-Scots and Irish communities, whose legacy continues to shape America today.

"These connections continue to be a powerful driver for tourism. In 2025, visitors from the US made almost 200,000 trips here contributing £54 million to our economy. This clearly demonstrates both the strength of this market and the opportunity for future growth.

"I therefore very much welcome this exciting new series of America 250 tourism experiences to add to our existing tourism offering and commend all involved for the innovation, creativity and commitment that have helped bring these experiences to life."

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am delighted that new tourism experiences have been developed through Department for Communities funding that reflect our shared cultural heritage with the US and build on the legacy of connection between Northern Ireland and America.

"America250 is a historic milestone, and it is right that both local and international audiences can now find out more about those close links and our common history that continues to bind us together."

Liz Steele, Culture and Heritage Tourism Manager at Tourism NI, said: "These new experiences are a welcome addition to our tourism offering.

"The participants have used a diverse range of themes to bring to life our cultural and historic connections with one of our largest out of state markets.

"America250 presented us with opportunity to develop this programme to create experiences that will motivate our visitors to actively engage with the destination, not just this year, but for years to come."