7 February 2000

 

MINISTER LAUNCHES TOURISM TASKFORCE 2000

First impressions are lasting impressions, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said today.

The Minister was announcing details of a new Action for Tourism 2000 TaskForce at a press conference in Belfast.

The remit of the taskforce, to be chaired by Roy Bailie, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, is to address deficiences which detract from a total quality holiday experience across Northern Ireland.

Sir Reg said: "There is a need to generate enthusiasm for the challenges that lie ahead in tourism, particularly in view of an anticipated increase in tourist traffic. In such a diverse industry we must come together to focus on what the customer wants.

"First impressions are lasting impressions. Visitors will draw their own conclusions very soon after they get off the train, boat or plane. If we are to attract them back to our beautiful country, the very least they should expect are the highest standard of product, of presentation and of customer care. This includes such important issues as hygiene in public places and top class service generally.

"Our air and sea ports, accommodation providers, country parks, visitor attractions, district councils and all those with an input into tourism, must be helped to deliver a co-ordinated approach so that visitors experience a first class holiday, a visit to relatives or friends or business trip. This will be the main focus of the Task Force.

"Action will be the key. The Task Force will act immediately to pull together the various stakeholders in the industry and report their findings and make recommendations.

"We want our visitors to enjoy a quality holiday experience and take away nothing short of the desire to return," he added.

The Action for Tourism 2000 Taskforce will encourage and secure a co-ordinated campaign of action to establish the priorities in the tourism industry, to ensure services are delivered, to co-ordinate various interests, to monitor activities and to provide advice and feedback to the Minister.

Its action plan will cover such areas as accommodation provision, cleanliness, access points and visitor attractions.

For further information contact the Press Office, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Telephone : 028 9023 6036.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

• The membership of the Action for Tourism 2000 Taskforce are:
• Chairman: Roy Bailie, Northern Ireland Tourist Board Chairman;
• Members: Paul Keohoe, (Managing Director, Belfast International Airport and Chairman NITIC), Irene Adair, (Guesthouse owner and active in tourism associations), Aideen McGinley, (Permanent Secretary, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure), Wavell Moore, (Chief Executive, Coleraine Borough Council) David McAuley, (Acting Chief Executive, NI Tourist Board) and Malcolm Briant, ( Assistant Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment).