A LOCAL Assembly member want the Tourist Board to do more to promote South Down.
Chris Hazzard believes more can be done to “package and promote” the area to maximise its tourism potential.
He met recently with senior Tourist Board officials and believes the area has much to offer, including the Mourne Mountains, its scenic coastal route and the heritage of St. Patrick.
Mr. Hazzard explained the meeting with tourism chiefs looked at ways of increasing the tourist potential of South Down, an area which he said has some of the most beautiful geographical features, from the Mournes to pristine beaches like Tyrella and Ballyhornan, as well as history stretching from St. Patrick through to the present day.
“The Downpatrick and Lecale areas particularly need to be better promoted by the Tourist Board in order to fully maximise the potential benefits of this history across Ireland and internationally,” continued Mr. Hazzard.
“Now that Environment Alex Attwood has ruled out a National Park in the Mournes, Caitrióna and I emphasised the need for the Tourist Board to take on the challenge of making the Mournes one of the premier attractions in Ireland.”
Mr. Hazzard said the South Down region has “massive tourism potential,” if it’s marketed and branded successfully. But he he also highlighted the need to upgrade the area’s tourist infrastructure.
He added: “We were keen to raise the issue of the new Narrow Water Bridge which has just been approved and look forward to working with the Tourist Board in future to ensure South Down maximises its potential and builds a tourism industry that could be the catalyst for economic regeneration in the area.”