27 Aug 2024

Tourism NI chief meets Fermanagh tourism operators

Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen has undertaken a tour of Fermanagh to meet with tourism and hospitality businesses in the area and hear their thoughts on how the sector has been performing this year.

Photo Caption: John McGrillen (centre), CEO of Tourism NI, pictured with Directors of Finn Lough, Gillian Beare and Michael Beare

The visits gave Mr McGrillen a chance to meet face-to-face with members of the trade and bring them up to speed on the support currently on offer from Tourism NI to help businesses recruit and retain staff, reduce costs, improve their competitiveness and to become more sustainable.

During Mr McGrillen’s tour of the area he visited Finn Lough, a 75-acre peninsula resort in Aghnablaney, on the Fermanagh/Donegal border. Accommodation on offer at the site includes lodges, suites and bubble domes.

At the site, Mr McGrillen met Directors Michael and Gillian Beare, who led a guided tour.

During the next stop, Mr McGrillen visited Erne Water Taxi, which offers visitors the chance to enjoy a range of boat tours along Lough Erne.

Mr McGrillen met Barry Flanagan, owner of Erne Water Taxi and enjoyed a tour on board the Island Discovery, a silent, all-electric eco-friendly vessel.

The final stop took Mr McGrillen to Lusty Beg Island Resort & Spa, a 75-acre secluded island situated on Lower Lough Erne offering a variety of accommodation including Courtyard Rooms, Cabins, Chalets and Lodges.

During the visit, Mr McGrillen met with owner, Michael Cadden as well as Gemma Carson, Assistant Director of Operations for the National Trust in Northern Ireland, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and Leo Nacer, Marketing Manager for Fermanagh Lakelands and Omagh and Sperrins regions.

Speaking following the visit, Mr McGrillen said: “We have a wonderful tourism offering here in Fermanagh. It has got an incredible unspoilt natural landscape with an equally magnificent built heritage.

“The rich and diverse range of brilliant accommodation, restaurants, attractions and experiences on offer is the reason why Fermanagh continues to attract visitors from near and far.

“The tourism industry is critical to the future success of the local economy and it is important that we support it as best we can.”

Mr McGrillen added: “It was really uplifting to meet so many passionate business owners, to listen to their concerns and try to navigate how we overcome them and continue to support this important industry.”

“They are all working extremely hard to give our visitors a warm welcome and to offer them authentic, local, sustainable experiences and I applaud them for their efforts.”