The Good Visitor Promise

Help us protect, respect and enjoy our place together 

Ards and North Down is a special place – shaped by our coastline, landscapes, heritage and, above all, our people. 

The Good Visitor Promise is a simple and positive guide to help visitors enjoy everything our Borough has to offer, while also caring for the places and communities that make it unique. 

The Good Visitor Promise is brought to life via an animation and poster highlighting practical, easy actions – from respecting our environment and supporting local businesses, to being kind to our communities and travelling responsibly.  

Whether you're planning a visit or already here, taking a moment to watch the animation is a great way to understand how small actions can make a big difference. 

A shared approach to responsible tourism 

The Good Visitor Promise isn’t just a campaign – it is a shared commitment. 

It has been co-designed by the Sustainable Tourism Group, a partnership of organisations from across Ards and North Down working together through the Community Planning Partnership to shape a more sustainable future for our area.  

By bringing together communities, tourism operators, environmental organisations and public sector partners, the Group has developed a message that reflects what matters most to the people who live and work here. 

Together, they are helping to ensure that tourism continues to: 

• This joinSupport local communities and businesses 
• Protect our natural environment and wildlife 
• Celebrate our culture and heritage 
• Maintain Ards and North Down as a welcoming place for all

This joined-up approach reflects the wider ambitions of community planning and the long-term vision for sustainable tourism across the Borough.  

Watch the animation 

The Good Visitor Promise animation sets out, in a clear and engaging way, how visitors can make a positive impact during their stay. 

From leaving no trace on our landscapes to supporting local makers and reducing waste, it captures the spirit of responsible tourism in Ards and North Down. 

The Good Visitor Promise Poster 

The Good Visitor Promise invites everyone to play their part: 

• Respect our landscapes and wildlife 
• Support local people and businesses 
• Travel responsibly 
• Reduce waste and conserve resources 
• Be kind to communities and fellow visitors 
• Learn about and celebrate local heritage 

Together, these small actions help protect what makes this place special – now and for future generations.  

>> Save and share the digital poster (jpeg)

If you would like to request a printed poster for display on your premises, please contact our Tourism Development team via email at TourismDevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

See the Promise in action 

As you explore Ards and North Down, you’ll see the Good Visitor Promise reflected in posters and displays across key visitor locations, attractions and public spaces. 

These reminders are part of a wider effort to create a consistent, welcoming message about how we can all enjoy this place responsibly.  

STAND for Sustainability

It supports STAND for Sustainability – a shared commitment between the Ards and North Down Borough Council and everyone across Ards and North Down.

Achieving our ambitious goals depends on collective action, with individuals, organisations, businesses and leaders all playing their part in embedding sustainable behaviours into everyday life. You can read more on the Ards and North Down Borough Council website.

Businesses, Pledge your Support

The Good Visitor Promise is a shared commitment to encouraging responsible visitor behaviour and protecting the places, communities and experiences that make Ards and North Down special.

We are inviting local businesses to pledge their support and join a growing movement that is working towards a more sustainable destination for residents and visitors alike.

By supporting the Good Visitor Promise, your business will help promote simple actions that encourage visitors to respect our environment, support local communities and make the most of their time in Ards and North Down.

Find out how