Moira man receives inaugural fellowship

Belfast Metropolitan College conferred its inaugural Honorary Fellowship award to Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Tourist Board, during its annual Graduation event which celebrated the achievements of over 1,000 higher education students. Alan, who was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the local tourism economy, is pictured with Marie-Therese McGivern, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, and Richard Oâ¬"Rawe, Chair of Belfast Metâ¬"s Governing Body.

The award was presented to the local industry leader during the College’s recent higher education graduation ceremony.

The forward-thinking industry leader was awarded the highest accolade the college can bestow during one of three ceremonies which celebrated the achievements of over 1,000 higher education graduates.

With over 30 years’ experience in the tourism industry, Mr Clarke steered NITB through a period of change and high levels of investment, culminating in the NI2012 ‘Our Time, Our Place’ campaign and the global repositioning of Northern Ireland as an important tourist destination.

He led the launch of a significant number of additional new tourism facilities, attractions and events throughout the region and paved the way for international events coming to the country for the first time, including the Irish Open, the Giro D’Italia and the current Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture celebrations.

Mr Clarke, Belfast Metropolitan College Honorary Fellow, added: “Belfast Metropolitan College has a fantastic reputation for the creative industries, including Travel and Tourism courses, so it is with great pride that I receive this Honorary Fellowship.

“I hope that the 2013 graduates, and all future graduates, will gather inspiration from the transformation of the Northern Ireland landscape that NITB played such a large part in, and use this to help build upon the futures that each of them have now started to create.”