Tourism businesses take first steps to success at inaugural industry seminar

​Tourism and hospitality businesses turned out in force for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s inaugural Shaped for Success seminar last week to hear from industry specialists about how best to capitalise on the world of opportunities open to them.

Speakers at the event, which took place in The Innovation Centre at Ecos in Ballymena, included Tourism NI Board Member and former Head of Marketing and Communications with the Irish FA Geoff Wilson; Portstewart based marketing consultant and trainer Debbie Rymer; and sales strategist Brendan Murphy.

Tony Haren from Ardmor Business Solutions also spoke about Improving Profit and Cash at the first industry event of its type in the borough.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Maureen Morrow, said afterwards: “Across Northern Ireland, the tourism and hospitality industry is experiencing growth year on year, and as a key location along the world famous Causeway Coastal Route, our borough is reaping the benefits of increased visitor numbers from home and abroad.

“In 2018, nearly one million people sampled our tourism offering. Visitor spend during that time was over the £50 million threshold and Mid and East Antrim had the joint highest annual hotel occupancy alongside Belfast City.

“Two of Council’s strategic priorities are growing the economy and developing our tourism potential. We aim to capitalise on this by collaborating with local tourism businesses and communities through partnerships, in order to ensure that we all have the skills and support required to grow and make the most of tourism opportunities.

“Well done to the panel of speakers who shared their expert knowledge, to our industry partners, Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Northern Regional College, along with Council Officers, for delivering the first ever tourism seminar with great success.”