Gobbins and Whitehead exemplars for new £0.5m tourism scheme

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots finding out more about shops that make up the visitor hub at Whitehead Community Centre, accompanied by Martin Clarke, director of Whitehead Community Association. Photos by William Cherry/Presseye

The ‘Rural Tourism Collaborative Experiences Programme’ encourages councils to bring together businesses and other potential partners to work closely together to develop an end-to-end visitor experience to increase competitiveness within the rural tourism sector.

Mr Poots, who visited The Gobbins visitor centre, Islandmagee; Whitehead Railway Museum, Blackhead Path, Whitehead Community Centre and the Lighthouse Bistro, Whitehead, said he was delighted to be launching this innovative programme.

“Tourism is vitally important to our rural economy and the competitive nature of the tourism marketplace, over the next few years, cannot be underestimated,” the minister said.

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots at The Gobbins Visitor Centre with the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Cllr Peter Johnston.

“It is clear from my visit here in Whitehead that a spirit of collaboration is emerging in the tourism sector to jointly create visitor experiences that are accessible, bookable and compelling, offering long-term sustainability and growth to tourism in Northern Ireland.

“There is significant potential in this area and what this area can offer would attract both local and international visitors. This funding will be the catalyst that will drive this work forward and I look forward to seeing the eventual experiences that all 11 councils will bring forward in the coming months.”

Each cluster will work together to identify the uniqueness of an area and package a range of authentic local products that can be promoted as a combined experience.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “Hopefully this will allow us to drive more visitors to experience and explore the breath-taking beauty of the borough, from stunning coastline to historic castles and the world famous Gobbins Clifftop Path, and it was a privilege to welcome the minister for the launch of his department’s initiative.”

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots at the Railway Museum with Dr Joan Smyth CBE and Rev Canon John McKegney.

Martin Clarke, chairman of Whitehead Community Association, accompanied the minister as he called in at shops which make up the visitor hub at Whitehead Community Centre. Read here

Mr Clarke said: “The funding available through this programme will be a fantastic enabler for essential community and council collaboration to build on the rich vein of art, heritage, culture and landscape that exists in Northern Ireland.

“Supported projects will offer locals and visitors a chance to engage through experience in the outstanding potential of places such as Whitehead.”

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