Ards and North Down Destination Campaigns

Ards and North Down Borough Council Tourism Service create seasonal destination awareness campaigns, designed to support accommodation, attractions, and experience providers across the Borough by showcasing special offers and great value short breaks available to book now.

---

Autumn 2025 - Visit Ards and North Down, it's closer than you think!

Grounded in the latest Tourism NI consumer sentiment research, the campaign targets ROI and NI audiences—especially young and middle-family segments keen to enjoy quality family time, memorable experiences, and hassle-free breaks. By highlighting the Borough’s proximity and ease of access, the campaign positions Ards and North Down as “Closer Than You Think.”

This campaign will showcase a wealth of great offers across the borough. Our message is simple: Ards and North Down is an accessible, family-friendly destination where visitors can relax, make memories, and enjoy fantastic value.

Campaign highlights include:
•    A strong family focus, with key messages around quality time and making memories
•    Offers showcased across Google, PPC, Facebook, Instagram, Dublin Live, Irish Times (print and digital), Belfast Live, and email marketing
•    Prominent out-of-home advertising in transport hubs including Connolly Station Dublin, Applegreens, and major shopping centres
•    A digital -first approach will include retargeting advertising to maximise bookings and engagement. 
The strapline “Closer Than You Think” is particularly effective for ROI audiences, reinforcing that Ards and North Down is an easy and convenient choice—just minutes from Belfast, yet offering a unique coastal escape.

---

Your next adventure is in Ards and North Down… | Spring 2025

Campaign messaging 

The messaging of the campaign will deliver clear and compelling reasons to visit, encouraging overnight stays and visitor spend. In the current climate balancing the key messages for motivation to travel with value for money and great offers, is essential to establish the right tone of voice. 

It will incorporate the beauty of the local area while also focusing on the key messages of family fun, great value, creating new memories, escapism, adventure, costal living, and great food and drinks.

This will undoubtedly resonate with, Aspiring Families NI, Active Maximisers ROI and Culturally Curious GB.

Visuals

The visual assets give a sense of the area, the breathtaking scenery, beautiful landmarks, range of attractions and local food and drink.

This concept champions a sense of whimsy and curiosity, using lyrical, almost poetic straplines, we invite viewers in to discover where these magical moments can be found.

We also encourage the visitor to book their next adventure in Ards and North Down, showcasing Where wonder awaits, Where new memories are made, Where the land meets the lough, Where the past meets the present and Where every bite tells a story….

Giving that sense of a getaway that you can tailor to suit your needs, encompassing the great outdoors, coastal seascapes, opportunities for rest and relaxation along with wonderful hospitality and great local food and drink.

The call to action is simple and clear, book a great value short break, tourism providers special offers will be highlighted throughout the campaign.

Annnnnnd relax this Autumn in Ards and North Down | Autumn 2024

The campaign focuses on all there is on offer in the coastal haven of Ards and North Down. It incorporates a playful use of emotive language, resonating with the feelings, of relaxation and exploration.

Highlighting the beauty of the local area while also focusing on the key messages of relaxation, escapism, laid back breaks, costal living, and great food and drinks.

Campaign visuals 

The visual assets give a sense of the area, the breathtaking scenery, beautiful landmarks, range of accommodation options and delicious local food and drink. We encourage the visitor to ‘Relax, Enjoy, Explore and Breathe’ giving that sense of a laid-back getaway which you can tailor to suit your needs, encompassing the great outdoors, coastal seascapes, opportunities for rest and relaxation along with wonderful hospitality and great local food and drink.

Have a look Annnnnnd relax! campaign assets...

Make it Ards and North Down this Spring | Spring 2024

Campaign visuals have a fresh, spring feel, showcasing our breathtaking scenery and immersing the audience in everything we have to offer; from adventure, sea air, great food and drink to luxury, indulgence and relaxation, all the elements for a wonderful spring getaway!

Campaign copy 

All within an hour of Belfast - escape, relax and have fun in this beautiful part of Northern Ireland. Lose yourself in our breathtaking landscapes, enjoy exhilarating adventures, taste delicious local cuisine, and take a moment to press pause.

Campaign video 

Time Together this Season | Autumn 2023

The visual assets have a cosy, luxurious, autumnal feel, fit for the season – evoking thoughts of wrapping up warm and exploring the outdoors of this beautiful region, enjoying hassle-free days in our many attractions, sampling delicious local, seasonal produce in award-winning restaurants and cafes, and spending relaxing evenings soaking up the warm welcome and charm of our locals. 

Campaign copy

Escape to Ards and North and enjoy crisp days and cosy nights, award-winning beaches, unique accommodation and lose yourself in the serenity of our lush green landscapes. The perfect place to spend time together this autumn.

Campaign video

Create Moments to Remember this Spring | Spring 2023

The visual assets have a fun family feel, giving a taste of the range accommodation, attractions, and experience providers available in the region. Encouraging you to pre-plan your spring break with us 

Campaign copy

Embrace stunning scenery, enjoy award-wining food and drink, unique experiences, family fun, and the warmest of welcomes; all within an hour of Belfast city!

There is so much to see and do. Enjoy expansive beaches, leafy parks, and spectacular water’s edge views. Visit historic sites, top attractions, and choose from a diverse range of activities as you enjoy this tranquil location. Ards and North Down is a great place to escape, relax and have fun.

Campaign video

Your autumn getaway awaits…. | Autumn 2022

The focus is value for money, close to the city, luxury for less message and to support the trade with additional promotion of their offers to drive autumn / winter bookings.

Campaign copy

Choose from great value short breaks in Ards and North Down to escape and unwind in this beautiful water’s edge location. Just minutes from Belfast, you will discover picturesque towns and villages, top attractions and stunning coastal walks.  

Campaign assets

Make it Yours | Spring 2022

The visual assets have a playful and inspiring family feel encouraging visitors to be inspired by unique adventures and experiences. 

Campaign copy

Let your imagination soar in Ards and North Down this Spring. Come and explore a world full of adventure.  Take in the breathtaking views at Scrabo Tower or dive into Strangford Lough. With activities for all the family to enjoy, Ards and North Down is the perfect location for your staycation this spring.

Campaign video