Thompson slams ‘apathetic’ reaction to tourism request

Glens Sinn Fein councillor, Colum Thompson, has questioned the attitude of several of his chamber colleagues after he brought a motion before the council calling for a conference/seminar to be held, which would include all interested stakeholders, to focus specifically on The Antrim Coast Road and Glens as a tourism product.

After the meeting Councillor Thompson issued a statement saying: “In a recent survey the Coast Road was voted the fifth best view in the world, beating world famous sights such as Angel Falls, Mount Kilimanjaro and The Grand Canyon.

“The Coast Road is also widely regarded, in motoring circles, as one of the best driving routes in the world. Due to being split between several district councils it is my opinion that The Antrim Coast Road has never received the focus which it so richly deserves.

“The benefits to Moyle of a joined up, collaborative approach to the marketing and promotion of the Coast Road would be huge.

“It is the main costal arterial route from Larne Port right through the Glens and Ballycastle to the Causeway and anything that can be done to increase the number of tourist vehicles which leave the Port of Larne and travel down the Coast Road would be of great benefit to many of the local businesses and communities in Moyle.

“Given these benefits I was surprised at the apathetic way in which some councillors reacted to my request and it makes you question whether they are actually motivated enough to maximizing Moyle undoubted tourism potential.

“On these types of issues council needs to be to the fore, driving projects forward and not sitting back, waiting for someone else to do the work. I will be meeting shortly with council officials to discuss ways in which we can introduce this project so that Moyle can begin to realize its tourism potential.”