Foster Cooks Up Tourism Successes

Co Down has all it takes to be a major tourist attraction, according to the NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster.

She has said that Down has all the right ingredients to attract more visitors from home and abroad.

Speaking during a visit to the Mourne Seafood Cookery School at the Nautilus Centre in Kilkeel, the DUP's Arlene Foster said: "With its rich maritime history and picturesque coastline, Kilkeel has so much to offer tourists."

Pictured with chef Jonny Hall, she added: "Visitors to the Nautilus Centre will find a range of things to do and see under one roof.

"As well as learning new skills in the Mourne Seafood Cookery School, tourists can visit the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre and learn more about the story of the local fishing industry using touch screen technology."

Minister Foster was in Co Down to see projects financially assisted under the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Tourism Development Scheme.

The Minister added: "Giving tourists experiences which make good memories and stories to share with their friends and family is vital if we are to increase visitor numbers, which is why my Department supported the refurbishment of the Nautilus Centre through the NITB Tourism Development Scheme."

Earlier, the Minister was in Strangford's Castle Ward to see the estate's extensive purpose-built trail network, which opened to the public in June.

Arlene Foster said: "The new trail system at Castle Ward caters for walking, horse riding and mountain biking enthusiasts of all abilities.

"Attractions like this one, which successfully provide innovative and diverse ways of attracting new visitors, are of vital importance in the development of local tourism."

While in the area, the Minister also visited Dundrum, where a number of improvements to amenities have taken place at four sites - Dundrum Inner Bay, Main Street, Greenbanks and Twelve Arches - as all have been identified as key stop-off amenity points on the Mourne Coastal Route.

(BMcC/GK)