McKevitt highlights tourism potential of South Down

SDLP MLA for South Down and Spokesperson on Culture, Arts and Leisure, Karen McKevitt, has highlighted the immense tourism potential of South Down.

McKevitt asked the Minister for Environment in the Assembly this week for an update on his Department’s investment in both the natural and built heritage in the South Down area.

Speaking afterwards, the South Down MLA said, “I very much welcome the Minister’s response to the oral question that I asked him in The Assembly.

“The vast tourism potential of South Down and the wider area is mainly unlooked at and certainly needs to be explored for the possibility of employment and tourism prospects in the area.

The SDLP MLA continued, “It is indeed heartening that the Minister concurs with my views that this issue is very important, because often times, the people of my constituency feel that they are overlooked by Government investment.

“Therefore, our tourism potential should certainly be looked at. The Minister acknowledges my opinion that there is untapped potential, particularly from Saint Patrick, in Christian heritage for tourism and job opportunities.

“Furthermore, the Saint Patrick experience is the sleeping giant of Irish tourism. I very much welcome the Minister’s assurances that his Department is attempting to roll out an improvement in facilities around the Christian and Saint Patrick heritage sites with the biggest profiles that will consequently increase jobs and opportunities.”

“I am delighted that I put this question forward to the Minister because not only was it crucial to highlight the issue and tourism potential of South Down, it is also positive that the Minister accepts and agrees with my views and has thus given me assurances on the matter.

McKevitt added, “No one can deny the success of NITB signature projects such as Titanic and the Giant’s Causeway. It is now time to promote and market Saint Patrick to increase tourism and jobs in South Down.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jun 28 2013. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry