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04/02/2002
Empey steps into debate on future of Giant's Causeway
Enterprise, Trade and Investment minister Sir Reg Empey has stepped into the debate on the future of the Giant's Causeway following what he called "misinformed" speculation in the media.
Sir Reg said he needed to clarify the position of his department and the Tourist Board as they were operating mainly in a "supportive capacity". The minister also stressed the need for partnership and a strategic vision between private and public agencies in maximising the tourist potential of the site.
The minister was speaking after a consultation with Moyle District Council, ahead of their meeting on February 6th to review the progress of tenders for the site. Sir Reg spoke of the potential of the Giant’s Causeway as a tourist attraction, and also of its possible significance in relation to the economic development of the area.
Sir Reg said: “The Giant's Causeway is the most recognised icon for overseas visitors to the island of Ireland. It is a lodestar for tourism development and which in turn leads to economic development and job creation. The further expansion of tourism in the area through the Giant’s Causeway is the key to economic development in Moyle."
The debate over the future of the tourist centre has been ongoing for a year. The council had originally opened the site up to tenders in February 2001 and subsequently accepted bids by the National Trust and Seaports Investments in September. However last December the council then refused to entertain the two £10 million bids to explore options for keeping the attraction within the ownership of the ratepayer. That decision was then reversed two weeks ago, and the council will now hear of the current status of any bids on February 6th.
The Giant's Causeway visitor centre regularly receives almost 400,000 visitors and the minister also highlighted the need to balance tourism development in the area with environmental considerations.
Sir Reg concluded: “The Giant’s Causeway has been described by many as the 'jewel' in our tourism crown. However I would go further - in the context of the strategic development of tourism it could be viewed as the centrepiece in a string of tourism pearls."
(GMcG)
Sir Reg said he needed to clarify the position of his department and the Tourist Board as they were operating mainly in a "supportive capacity". The minister also stressed the need for partnership and a strategic vision between private and public agencies in maximising the tourist potential of the site.
The minister was speaking after a consultation with Moyle District Council, ahead of their meeting on February 6th to review the progress of tenders for the site. Sir Reg spoke of the potential of the Giant’s Causeway as a tourist attraction, and also of its possible significance in relation to the economic development of the area.
Sir Reg said: “The Giant's Causeway is the most recognised icon for overseas visitors to the island of Ireland. It is a lodestar for tourism development and which in turn leads to economic development and job creation. The further expansion of tourism in the area through the Giant’s Causeway is the key to economic development in Moyle."
The debate over the future of the tourist centre has been ongoing for a year. The council had originally opened the site up to tenders in February 2001 and subsequently accepted bids by the National Trust and Seaports Investments in September. However last December the council then refused to entertain the two £10 million bids to explore options for keeping the attraction within the ownership of the ratepayer. That decision was then reversed two weeks ago, and the council will now hear of the current status of any bids on February 6th.
The Giant's Causeway visitor centre regularly receives almost 400,000 visitors and the minister also highlighted the need to balance tourism development in the area with environmental considerations.
Sir Reg concluded: “The Giant’s Causeway has been described by many as the 'jewel' in our tourism crown. However I would go further - in the context of the strategic development of tourism it could be viewed as the centrepiece in a string of tourism pearls."
(GMcG)
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