Tourism Northern Ireland has launched a new experience development initiative to create visitor offerings that spotlight the island of Ireland's deep historical ties with the United States.

Backed by the Department for Communities' USA‑NI250 Scheme, the programme will centre on the years around the 1776 signing of the US Declaration of Independence, telling the stories of Northern Ireland figures who shaped cultural and political life at the time.

Timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration this year, the America 250 Experience Development Programme aims to blend historical authenticity, community involvement and creative storytelling.

The experiences will be rooted in place and culture, reflecting diverse narratives including Ulster‑Scots, Scotch‑Irish and Irish contributions to American history in the late 18th Century.

Tourism NI has already received expressions of interest from providers across the region and has held an initial workshop with participating businesses. Early concepts span music, craft, industrial and farming heritage, food and drink, emigration, the Declaration's signatories — five of whom had direct Ulster family links — and the genealogy of US presidents.

Attendees received guidance on shaping saleable, brand‑aligned experiences and becoming market ready, alongside one‑to‑one sessions with programme facilitators Paula McIntyre (chef), Colin Urwin (storyteller), Sharon Scott (place and destination marketing expert) and Liz Steele, Culture and Heritage Tourism Manager at Tourism NI. Participants will now progress to mentoring, site visits and market testing, with the ambition of launching new experiences by the end of May.

Liz Steele, Culture and Heritage Tourism Manager at Tourism NI, said: "America 250 is a unique opportunity to connect with one of our largest source markets and inspire visitors to come and explore the many, multifaceted stories that connect Northern Ireland and the United States.

"For those closer to home, these stories allow us to refresh and reframe experiences to engage visitors and immerse them in aspects our culture and heritage that were so influential in the United States at that time."

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am pleased that the USA-NI250 scheme is shining a light on our unique place in a global story and the remarkable contribution people from Ulster made to the founding of the United States.

"The 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence highlights the potential for the heritage, arts, and wider cultural sector to amplify their offer to local and US visitors as part of Northern Ireland's USA 250 commemorations.

"Initiatives such as the America 250 Experience Development Programme further highlight our influential role and deepen the longstanding ties we share with the United States. With support from the Department for Communities, new experiences are being developed that will bring these stories to life for visitors at home and abroad and I am keen that visitors get to experience our shared heritage through the deep connections between Northern Ireland and the US."