The Enterprise Minister has said next month’s Irish Open is a wonderful opportunity to showcase south Down as a world-class holiday destination as well as a golfing destination. Arlene Foster was answering an Assembly Question from South Down MLA Karen McKevitt SDLP who asked how the Minister and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment were working with Executive colleagues to ensure that all opportunities arising from the Irish Open on May 28-31 to showcase Newcastle and the surrounding south Down area globally are maximized. “The Irish Open 2015 provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase Newcastle and County Down not only as a golfing destination but also as a world-class holiday destination,” replied Minister Foster. “For the Irish Open 2015 a steering group and governance structure including sub groups for three key areas of delivery has been established. These areas relate to Destination Delivery, Event Delivery and Marketing and Communications.” She added that the steering group is chaired by Tourism NI and membership is ‘consistent with that established for the Irish Open 2012 and the three delivery groups made up of representatives from relevant government departments and
agencies who are directly contributing their expertise to the successful delivery of the event – has been meeting on a regular basis. “Both tourism agencies will be working with tourism businesses and the wider general tourism industry in Northern Ireland to promote this important event using advertising campaigns featuring TV and radio, press, online, and social media and digital channels and featuring special offers and packages around the Irish Open,” she said. “International travel and lifestyle media have been invited to visit Royal County Down golf club in the lead up to and during the tournament, with overnight stays at local accommodation providers and an opportunity to experience some of the visitor attractions in the region.”
Newry Reporter
22nd April 2015
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