Council in bid to draw in more tourists to Down

Council in bid to draw in more tourists to Down

30 March 2016

A MAJOR new tourist strategy, which could define much of the future economic prosperity of south Down, is to be drawn up.

Outside consultants have been appointed to compile the strategy by Newry, Mourne and Down Council which has identified tourism growth as a key strategic priority for the area.

TEAM Tourism Consulting will develop the new tourism strategy along with the council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee and Tourism NI.

Council chairman, Mickey Ruane, said it is important to develop a tourism strategy that supports and complements other important planning processes that are currently underway within the district. 

“Council will ensure that there is a close fit with the emerging Area Plan, the Rural Development Plan and the Community Plan,” he said. “By focusing on creating this fit, the Tourism Strategy will reflect aspirations expressed elsewhere. 

In May 2016, the new Department for the Economy will be created and will be responsible for delivery of a new Tourism Strategy for the north of Ireland which is scheduled for launch in the autumn of this year. 

We are working with DETI and Tourism NI to make sure that there is synergy between the strategies,” he said.

Roger Carter, the managing director of TEAM Tourism, said the challenge is to increase the number of new visitors from elsewhere and attract everyone to stay longer and spend more. 

“Being successful will require a ‘road-map’ so there is common agreement on the direction tourism is going. This Tourism Strategy will act as that ‘road-map’ and will show you how all the different players can work toward common goals,” he said.

The chief executive of Tourism NI, John McGrillen, has also added his support.

“The council strategy is being developed with consideration to the DETI NI Tourism Strategy, which will ensure that there are synergies between the strategies,” he said. 

“This approach is to be commended as working in partnership will allow Newry, Mourne and Down to play a major role in making tourism in NI a £1bn industry by 2020.”

South Down independent Unionist MLA, John McCallister, has creation a long-term tourism strategy.

 “The top physical activity participated in during overnight trips to Northern Ireland is hiking and cross country walking. The second most popular activity is cycling and mountain biking,” he said.

 “Currently the Newry, Mourne and Down Council Area is the number two destination in Northern Ireland for the number of accommodation providers signing up to the Walkers Welcome Scheme. 

“Yet despite some of the best walking and hiking trails in Northern Ireland and a high uptake in hotels, hostels and B&Bs signing up to the Walkers Welcome Scheme, South Down is somehow lagging behind the rest of Northern Ireland when it comes to tourism spend and overnight stay,” he added.

A project website has been created http://www.newrymournedown-tourismstrategy.co.uk  which outlines a range of opportunities to get involved to ensure that all tourism businesses and stakeholders have the chance to contribute to the development of this strategy.