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BDO Managing Partner, Francis Martin, this morning launched a wide-ranging profile of the tourism and hospitality sector in Northern Ireland entitled ‘The Future of Tourism and Hospitality looks like this’.  He was joined, for this second publication in the ‘The Future of Business’ series, by Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons,  and Chair of the Northern Ireland Tourism Board, Howard Hastings, at the breakfast event in Belfast.The publication features interview with key players in the tourism and hospitality sector, including hotel owners and managers, those in the licensed trade, policy makers and those behind some future big attractions. The nine companies featured have a combined annual revenue of some £110m and employ over 3000 people. The publication includes a snapshot of expansion plans at three companies: Beannchor Ltd, Galgorm and Benedicts.

Speaking at the launch Francis Martin said: ‘Over the last three months we have spoken to companies and organisations right across the tourism and hospitality sector. What is clear is that the sector is resilient, able to adapt and ready for growth.

“Those we spoke to are now fully aware that competition comes not only from local or national venues, outlets and regions, but that Northern Ireland as a whole now competes internationally to attract visitors and tourism spend. There is a confidence in the market as we expand to attract these visitors and develop new markets, but there is also a continued focus on ensuring the traditional welcome that we are so used to locally remains central to our offering.

“It is especially encouraging to see that three of the companies featured are currently engaged in or are planning expansions. As well as the completion of the extension to the Merchant Hotel which opens in July, Beannchor Ltd also expects to announce plans shortly for a second hotel on Skipper Street in the Old Bank of Ireland Building . In addition, they are opening the second of their ‘Little Wing’ pizzerias next week on the Lisburn Road with further plans to open in Ballyhackamore, Bangor and on various sites in the Republic.

“Galgorm Resort, which underwent a £11m refit in 2007, also has plans to build between 35 and 50 new rooms in the next few years and will extend its banqueting suite over the next 18 months. Edmund Simpson of Benedicts Hotel also has plans for an exciting new hotel right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter on the old Easons site and Botanic Inns has just opened a new venue in East Belfast, Horatio Todds.  McKeever Hotels, owned by the current President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, Eugene McKeever, has also recently acquired the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena and has plans for its refurbishment.

“The draft Tourism Strategy aims to increase visitor numbers from 3.2m to 4.5m and earnings from £520m to £1bn all by 2020. These are ambitious targets but I am confident that these plans will ensure that the sector is well positioned to make the most of future growth,” he added.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: “While 2009 was a challenging  year for the tourism industry, Northern Ireland has experienced growth, especially in the number of visitors travelling from the Republic. Tourism supports over 40,000 jobs in Northern Ireland and is a key driver for the economy.

“The Executive is fully committed to the success of tourism but tourism is everyone’s business. We need a common approach that involves other government departments, local authorities and the private sector. I am delighted to see so many from the private sector here at today’s launch and I look forward to working with the sector in the future, to boost visitor numbers and visitor spend.

‘”With progress in the Signature projects and the development of the Tourism Strategy, along with Tourism Ireland’s global campaign, we are well poisitioned to increase tourism’s contribution to the overall economy,” she added.

LISTEN HERE Radio Future of Tourism & Hospitality