Minister outlines tourism vision for North

At the recent Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sir Reg Empey set out his vision for the potential of the tourism industry in the province.

Addressing the guests at the awards ceremony, Sir Reg said: “Tourism and the whole of the hospitality industry, together, hold out the prospect of phenomenal growth, both in the number of people employed and in the massive financial investment which can be attracted.”

Challenging those in the industry, Sir Reg stressed the importance of the public consultation stage of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s draft Corporate Plan, which he said was a golden opportunity to "shape the future and to look afresh" at the industry:

“I know the potential of the local industry. I know what it can achieve in towns, villages and rural areas where attracting other industry is very difficult. We have made many advances in terms of accommodation and facilities, particularly in the past five years, but there are still some structural issues which need to be addressed.

Calling for more hotels, guest houses, event-orientated businesses, and for more investment, Sir Reg said: “The thrust for the next three years is about working closely to promote a strong image of Northern Ireland. Our exceptional natural environment, our people, their cultures and the fact that we are an undiscovered destination, with novelty, curiosity and surprise, are key selling points.

“Tourists the world over are looking for something different, an experience and not just a holiday and I believe this will be to our advantage. We can win by focusing on niche products or specialist holidays and become renowned for quality and value for money.

“The opportunity for tourism to benefit us all has arrived. We have the environment, our traditions, our customs and our heritage and with confidence in ourselves and in our local distinctiveness, we will succeed.”

The Minister commended the high calibre of the award entries, which he said illustrated the potential of the local tourism industry and gave every reason to be optimistic about the future of tourism.

The Tourism Awards aims to celebrate the best in the business, promote new ideas and higher standards, and to enhance the region’s appeal as an attractive tourist destination.

(SP)