Tourism NI will appoint a dedicated officer to work with Newry Mourne and Down District Council to help boost the area’s tourism sector. South Down MP Margaret Ritchie along with South Down MLA Sean Rodgers and SDLP Cllr Laura Devlin met with the CEO of Tourism NI John McGrillen and Chairman Terence Brannigan to represent the views of Newcastle traders and business people. “We had a full and frank discussion about the projects and events we want to see Tourism NI pursing and assisting the local community,” said Mrs Ritchie. “Throughout the meeting it was clear that the partnership between Newry Mourne and Down Council, Tourism NI and the local tourism industry will be vital if we are to see further development of the tourism product in the Mournes and St Patrick’s country.
“I am therefore very pleased to report that Tourism NI will shortly begin the process of appointing a dedicated officer to work with Newry Mourne and Down Council and the local tourism industry to take forward projects and events that will bring direct benefit to our local tourism industry and that will increase the income that our community derives from the tourism industry here in South Down.”
Mr Rodgers added: “This was a very important meeting with Tourism NI. Such meetings are vital to continue to develop our local tourism product. We need an integrated approach between Tourism NI, Council and local business. The Mournes and St Patrick’s Country has so much to offer and we really need to do all in our power to capitalize on it.”
While Ms Devlin said: “Today’s meeting was a great opportunity to put forward what we feel are our biggest opportunities and also the areas we feel as a group we need improved and developed. I was pleased was pleased at the response from John and Terrence and look forward to seeing these discussions develop further for the greater good of the Mournes and the wider council area.”
Newry Democrat
5th January 2016
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