Press Release

“Destination North West And Glens & Lakelands”
Welcome Cross Border Project Investment

11th October 2005

Tourism representatives in the North West have welcomed the ministerial announcement of €2,525,000 funding towards two key cross border marketing initiatives to promote the growth of tourism in the region.

The development represents the start of the largest cross border tourism marketing initiatives funded to date by the North West Region Cross Border Group (NWRCBG), who have funded €1,500,000 to the Destination North West Project and the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN), who have funded €375,000 to the Glens & Lakelands Project, through the EU INTERREG IIIA Programme Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Councillor Shaun Gallagher, Chairperson of the North West Region Cross Border Group INTERREG IIIA Partnership, said of the Destination North West Project, “This is an exciting project for the North West Region. At a time when tourism is seen as a growth industry it is vitally important that we are able to assist the sector in their efforts to secure greater visitor numbers for the region. The cross border nature of the region is again mirrored in the efforts of this project."

Kate Burns, Chief Executive of ICBAN added "ICBAN recognises that tourism is not achieving its potential within the region, and one of the ways we need to address this is through creating critical mass in what we can offer, by pooling our resources and creating an effective marketing tool for the region"

The Destination North West and Glens & Lakelands projects aim to promote the products of an area covering counties Derry, Sligo, Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Antrim, Cavan and Monaghan, whilst building partnerships amongst tourism interests within the region. This will help build the reputation of the region as a leading tourism destination within the island of Ireland. This will be achieved through the implementation of a marketing plan to promote the key products of the region, based on the packaging of key products, events and attractions, event development and gateway signage projects also forming the strategic direction of the projects.

Derry City Council is the lead partner in the Destination North West project and believe the funding is vital for the development of tourism in the region. Councillor Lynn Fleming, Mayor of Derry City Council said:

“Destination North West is a genuine effort to harmonise the north west’s tourism product offering, for the social and economic benefit of the entire north west and represents an unprecedented level of cross border co-operation amongst the key tourism organisations in the region. It is appropriate that these two tourism initiatives are being launched in the Guildhall at the very gates of the Historic Walled City of Derry, which has been designated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board as a Signature Tourism Project.”

Councillor Stephen Huggett, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council said: “Fermanagh District Council are delighted to be involved in this project, which will raise the profile of the entire North West region of Ireland. Fermanagh District Council recognises the importance of working on a cross border basis and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism has been working on other projects that advance our cross border links. The Destination North West project will provide the opportunity for a number of public and private sector organisations to work together to increase visitor numbers and in so doing, bring substantial economic benefit to the north west of Ireland.”

"Tourism in Ireland continues to grow but mainly in the urban centres and on the East Coast", stated Paul McLoone Chief Executive North West Tourism.

"The Northern part of the whole of Ireland, both North and South, needs to improve its performance compared to other regions of Ireland with regard to overseas visitor numbers. It is important that regions, both North and South, work together. This will help increase the range and standard of accommodation available, enhance or build new visitor attractions and as these projects aim to do, sell the region as one major tourist destination within the island of Ireland. What we have to offer in this part of Ireland is just as good, if not better, than any other region and I believe the timing is right to achieve a better market share. The co-operation between the agencies has been very encouraging to date and we are particularly pleased with the level of co-operation between the projects and Tourism Ireland, in the implementation of the overseas campaign. It augurs well for the future of tourism in this region that both Ministers and the Key National Agencies are now lending their support to these Projects."

Don Wilmont, Manager of Causeway Coast & Glens concluded “The partnership between Destination North West and Glens & Lakelands and the added support from Tourism Ireland, will I am sure, give us all the best opportunity of delivering additional business to each of our respective regions.”

Notes to Editor:

2.0 The Destination North West Project, represents Derry, Fermanagh, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Tyrone.

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