Anger at tourism 'exclusion'

She said the meeting was convened by the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Alan Clarke, and included officers from Ballymena, Coleraine and Larne Councils, as well as people from the private sector.

Cllr Cara McShane said: “Moyle District Council area has a proud record of delivering the tourist product and has by far the largest number of tourist attractions than any other Council on this island. The Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Rathlin Island, Bushmills Distillery, seven out of nine Glens of Antrim to name but a few of our popular visitor attractions.

"The Antrim Coast Road was recently voted as one of the top ten drives in the world, straddling mostly through Moyle Council area. The council’s Visitor Centre at the Giant’s Causeway consistently voted the best visit by tour operators. Given these facts I find it extraordinary that Moyle Council was left off the invitation list for an NITB event about a vision for the North East's tourism industry.

“I see this as a blatant snub by the head of NITB and sends out a very negative signal to those people who strive to develop the tourism industry in Moyle and to the ratepayers within this Council area who pay for the upkeep and maintenance of tourist facilities, picnic areas, beaches, harbours, caravan parks and amenity sites for the thousands of visitors to our area.

“NITB has yet to provide a rationale or justification for this selective invitee list and that is both unjustifiable and unprofessional.

“Clearly people are outraged. With an increasing number of people diversifying into tourism within Moyle Council area, it is no surprise that many feel despondent and discouraged by NITB and this latest ‘stunt’ adds fuel to the flames of anger.

“I fail to understand how my Council colleague Councillor Price McConaghey with over 40 years tourism experience was overlooked, and both our Chief Executive & Head of Tourism.

“I have raised this with Daith McKay MLA who has brought forward a series of questions to the Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. I have also contacted members on the Assembly’s DETI Committee to have this issue raised at a meeting later this week and I also intend to have the matter discussed at the next full meeting of Moyle District Council.”

In response, Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, told the Times: “The recent meeting was just one part of an ongoing engagement programme with key tourism partners across Northern Ireland. We will be organising further meetings over the coming months to engage with as many stakeholders in the area as possible, including Moyle District Council.

“Tourism is a huge industry with a broad range of stakeholders, and It is impossible to meet with every partner in one meeting. With this in mind we feel it is best to have a series of smaller events – several tourism businesses within the Moyle area were represented at the recent meeting and we will meet with other Moyle stakeholders in the future.

“The Moyle District Council area plays a huge role in the Causeway Coast and Glens, with stunning scenery and world class attractions including the world famous Giant’s Causeway. That is why we chose the region as one of five Signature Projects which have the potential to create international stand-out for Northern Ireland. We already work very closely with Council and look forward to continued partnership in coming months to drive tourism forward in the area.”