£10M INVESTMENT IN CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS TOURISM MASTERPLAN

28 March 2007

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) today hosted its third Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan Forum with the news that a resource investment of £10,000,000 has been injected into the project to date.

The Masterplan, which was launched in 2004, provides a critical roadmap for tourism development in the Causeway Coast and Glens area over a ten year period. Now in its fourth year, NITB used the Forum to update stakeholders on progress.

Speaking at the Masterplan forum NITB Chairman, Tom McGrath commented, “The forum today offers the opportunity to communicate with stakeholders and reflect on and acknowledge the successes in the delivery of the objectives of the CausewayCoast and Glens Tourism Masterplan.

“ The plan is an important mechanism in delivering the infrastructure around the Signature Project an d provides a tangible link to NITB’s Strategic Framework for Action. By c hannelling the resources through the Masterplan and involving stakeholders, the Causeway and Antrim Coast can achieve international ‘stand out’ for Northern Ireland.

“ The direct investment of £10,000,000 indicates how successfully the recommendations have been delivered within the first three years of implementation and I am optimistic that we can all look forward to the successful development of a world class visitor attraction through this Signature Project.

The substantial investment has played a crucial role in developing the Causeway Signature Project as a world class proposition and a ‘must see’ internationally competitive product. Key achievements of the Masterplan include the opening of the watersports centre in Portrush, the Westlight viewing platform on Rathlin Island, the establishment of the Causeway Coast and Glens Regional Tourism Partnership and most notably the Causeway Coastal Route signage scheme, Northern Ireland’s first strategic driving route which links Belfast to the Walled City of Derry. The signage scheme will be completed in time for the visitor season, 2007.

Over 60 delegates attended the Causeway Coast and Glens Masterplan forum which was held at the Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus.

Caption: Kathleen McBride, NITB Manager for Regions & Signatures North and Tom McGrath, NITB Chairman highlight the £10 million invested so far in the Causeway Coast and Glens Masterplan.

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For further media information contact

Tony Millar at NITB on 028 9044 1644 or t.millar@nitb.com or

Louise Carson at Aiken PR on 028 9066 3000 or louise@aikenpr.co.uk