American tour operator receives Mid and East Antrim attractions presentation

Recently, the local authority was invited by Tourist NI and Tourism Ireland to make a presentation to leading US tour operator Avanti Destinations which saw the council’s tourism marketing manager presenting to 60 members of Avanti’s sales team.

The American tour operator is seeking to increase its Northern Ireland programme.

The council’s Borough Growth Committee was told that the presentation focused on The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee, as well as Carrickfergus Castle, Glenarm Castle, Slemish and accommodation in the borough.

Councillors were advised that officers will follow up with Avanti to provide more details, including rates and to build a relationship with the tour operator.

The operator already offers holidays to the United Kingdom featuring regions such as the Lake District, Yorkshire, Cornwall and Wales.

Meanwhile, the council has welcomed a commitment by the ferry operator P&O to use, where appropriate, Mid and East Antrim marketing on communications.

Officers have been negotiating with P&O’s marketing team to promote the borough to “key markets” of Scotland and northern England.

Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Councillor Keith Turner suggested that Mid and East Antrim could also be promoted by working with Dumfries and Galloway Council in Scotland through the council’s North Channel Partnership.

Ballymena TUV Cllr Matthew Armstrong commented that in the presentation to the US tour operator there was “no mention” of the borough’s two ancestral homes.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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