7 June 2000

MINISTER FOCUSES ON NORTH WEST TOURISM

"Northern Ireland's tourist industry has the potential to become our biggest local industry and our greatest wealth creator," Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said today when he visited the Giant's Causeway and the Black Bush Causeway Coast Amateur Golf Tournament at Portstewart Golf Club.

Speaking at the Giant's Causeway, Sir Reg said: "I am here today to see at first hand progress at the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre following the devastating fire at the end of April which destroyed so much of the building.

"The Giants' Causeway is the jewel in Northern Ireland's tourism crown. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and as such is instantly recognisable internationally, attracting more visitors than any other local tourist attraction.

"It is therefore vital that the best temporary facilities possible are provided as quickly as possible to cater for the many thousands of visitors expected this season. I am glad to see that there are already some facilities in place and also that the tea rooms are due to open this weekend and that there will be a tourist information presence shortly.

"A working group is examining the way ahead, using as a basis for its discussions the findings of a Consarc led study which prior to the fire, had analysed the future requirements at the site.

"The new Centre must be able to offer the very best facilities to around an anticipated 1,000,000 visitors each year. While the loss of the original Centre cannot be underestimated, it had clearly reached its limits catering as it did for approximately 400,000. We now have the opportunity to build bigger and better for the future."

Later the Minister met some of the competitors in the Black Bush Causeway Coast Amateur Golf Tournament at Portstewart Golf Club.

"This tournament is a fine example of a sporting event that greatly benefits tourism. Around 800 participants are from outside Northern Ireland, with 250 from North America, all of whom fill up restaurants, bars, hotels and B&Bs along the Causeway Coast.

"We need to be able to offer sophisticated travellers a total holiday experience which matches or beats what is on offer at leading tourism destinations throughout the world. Against the background of peace and stability I am confident that we will make great strides in all areas of tourism, an industry which has been frustrated and restrained for the past 30 years," he said.