The Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey officially opened the recently completed Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae.

Part of the Hotels and Leisure Division of the Kennedy Group of companies, the Bayview Hotel run by North Coast Hotels, cost £2.5 million and has created the equivalent of around 40 full-time jobs.

Congratulating the Kennedy Group at the opening on Wednesday February 27, the Minister said: “The importance of the North Coast and all it has to offer tourism in Northern Ireland, cannot be over emphasized. If we want to maximise the number of visitors to the area, we must provide quality accommodation and facilities. The opening of the Bayview Hotel makes a very positive step in that direction.

“The potential of tourism and the benefits to the economy have been recognised locally, and considerable investment has gone into tourism infrastructure in recent years. This in turn has lead to economic development and job creation along the North Coast, bringing benefits to a mainly rural area.”

Sir Reg said he was confident that the structures were now in place for the marketing and development of tourism, which he said had to catch up with the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Bayview Hotel, with three-star facilities, has 25 rooms each furnished to a high standard together with business conference facilities for up to 60 delegates, and a well-reviewed restaurant and bar, The Porthole.

Alistair Kennedy, Commercial Director of the Group said the opening of the new Bayview Hotel was a prime example of how development could provide a boost to a locality: “Since we opened the doors of the Bayview Hotel some twelve weeks ago, we have been delighted with the response we have received from both visitors to the Causeway Coast and our neighbours in the surrounding area. The frequency of their visits is just endorsement of our belief that north coast hospitality is second to none and we look forward to their continued support."

North Coast Hotels recently celebrated the first birthday of the Comfort Hotel in Portrush which received ‘Newcomer of the Year’ commendation from the international Choice Hotel Group.

Mr Kennedy said this confirmed the Group's long-term tourism investment strategy: "We have a superb product right on our doorstep and we want to encourage not only visitors from overseas but also local people to sample the Bayview.”

Bayview Hotel, www.bayviewhotelni.com

(SP)