As one set of 'tourists' leave Northern Ireland - with a TV drama film crew just departed from picturesque Portaferry - the NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has put the development of leisure visitors in the spotlight.

She said that she believes Northern Ireland must provide top quality customer service in a bid to attract more tourists to enjoy scenery such as this off Blackhead in Co Antrim, pictured last summer.

The Minister was speaking as she opened the annual Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Visitor Servicing Conference at the Lough Erne Golf Resort in Enniskillen.

Appropriately, given the nature of the Co Down visitors' experiences with local hospitality during filming in Portaferry, the theme of the conference was 'Creating Unique Visitor Experiences'.

It's aim is to highlight and address the key issues in relation to customer service.

Around 140 delegates working across the tourism industry, from hotels and tourist information centres, to local authorities and the education sector listened to a range of speakers including those from the Disney Institute, Florida, Guinness Store House, Dublin and urban regeneration body, ILEX.

Opening the conference, Arlene Foster said: "The Northern Ireland Executive has set demanding targets for tourism - to attract 2.5 million visitors and increase tourism revenue to £520million by 2011.

"In today's challenging economic environment, Northern Ireland must take advantage of the opportunities offered by the sterling exchange rate. We must focus on our strengths and compete more aggressively to attract visitors.

"We have so much to offer, with vibrant cities, first class hotels and superb leisure facilities, set in stunning scenery."

The Minister, however, stressed the need to focus on quality customer service to set Northern Ireland apart from competing destinations.

She said: "Caring for our visitors and offering them top quality customer service are vital ingredients that can help us to grow our tourism industry by providing unique and lasting memories for tourists."

She also said that research by NITB has consistently shown that the "local appeal and friendliness of the Northern Ireland people are features that set us apart" - something that was reflected in media comments by representatives of the Portaferry film crew yesterday.

"Government, its agencies and local tourism providers must continue to work together to maximise our potential.

"We must attract increased numbers of leisure and business visitors and give them all a reason to return to here in the future," said Ms Foster.

See: Portaferry Excels In War-Time Role

(BMcC/JM)