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Tourist Industry Failing to Brand Ulster
East Londonderry MP & MLA Gregory Campbell is less than impressed with local souvenir shops aimed at tourists. Campbell has asked why the Northern Ireland tourist board gives backing to some shops that sell "stage Oirish" tack like shamrocks and shillelaghs, which tourists could just as easily pick up in a "tip in Tipperary".
He might not have phrased it in the most delicate manner, but there is definitely room for improvement in this area. Just need to look at the "Taste of Ulster" shop at the international airport, stocked with rows and rows of paddywhackery-inspired crap.
Northern Ireland has plenty to offer of its own. Campbell suggested red hands (even if our own tourist board did drop theirs from their logo) and ornaments depicting Ulster cottages/the Mourne Mountains for starters and I could add the Giant's Causeway (naturally) and the Glens of Antrim, Marble Arch Caves and much more. Nobody's suggesting (at least I'm not) that shops shouldn't also stock the Oirish tack for the plastic paddies who lap it up so enthusiastically, just try and offer punters something a bit different, and a reason to remember Ulster - it's more than just another part of Ireland.