Hoteliers Brief MLAs

Better roads in the west and more hotels on the popular Causeway coast were among the objectives discussed today when MLAs were briefed by members of the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation.

Hosted by UUP MLA Billy Armstrong, the meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation ensure that local political representatives were informed of the issues facing the local hotel and tourism industry.

These included the need to improve on promoting and marketing Northern Ireland as a destination, to increase hotel capacity on the north coast, and to improve road infrastructure and planning, particularly in the west of the Province.

Speaking after the event, the Mid-Ulster representative said: “Today’s meeting provided an important opportunity for the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation to get their message across to Northern Ireland’s political representatives.

“Tourism is already a vital sector in terms of the local economy, generating £1.6 billion in tourism sales and providing 37,000 jobs in pure tourism, which does not include those in the hospitality sector.

“Even so, there is still huge potential for growth. As the presentation highlighted, this country possesses stunning scenery, hospitable people, fascinating history and much of the Province is still relatively unspoilt,” he said, noting that the Federation identified five key points where they believe they can make a difference and have also identified five key areas where the Assembly has influence and the ability to effect change.

(BMcC)