Top international tour operators have been visiting Kilkeel, to sample some of County Down’s renowned seafood, as part of a fact-finding trip to Northern Ireland.

Invited here by Tourism Ireland to participate in the annual Meet the Buyer workshop, which took place in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, the tour operators enjoyed a post-workshop tour which was themed around our wonderful coastline – particularly the coastline of counties Down and Antrim. As well as a visit to the Mourne Seafood Cookery School in Kilkeel, the group also enjoyed a visit to Soak Seaweed Baths and checked out some of our self-catering options, like Kribben Cottages and Hanna’s Close. They also visited Sketrick Island, Nendrum monastic site and followed some of the Narnia Trail. The group then travelled north on the Causeway Coastal Route, passing Carrickfergus Castle, the Gobbins Cliff Path, Glenarm, the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and Dunluce Castle. A final stop took them to the Séamus Heaney Museum in Bellaghy, before they headed for home.

The visit of the international tour operators was organised by Tourism Ireland in conjunction with Tourism Northern Ireland. Welcoming the strong international attendance at this year’s Meet the Buyer workshop in Newcastle, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to bring 100 top international tourism buyers to Northern Ireland for Meet the Buyer 2015 – including 29 buyers who were here for the first time – which provided such an important opportunity for our local tourism partners. The high attendance of these buyers from around the world is a strong indication that interest in visiting Northern Ireland remains high and that it can, and is, competing with the best destinations in the world.

“Tourism Ireland has an extensive programme of promotions under way across the world, to highlight Northern Ireland and grow tourism in 2015 and beyond. We are placing a major focus on the 2015 Irish Open, which will be played in Newcastle next month – taking every opportunity to leverage the tourism benefits of this prestigious sporting event for Northern Ireland. We are also highlighting new visitor experiences for 2015, including the refurbished Mount Stewart House and Gardens and the Gobbins Cliff Path. With our spectacular scenery, world-class visitor attractions and good value accommodation, Northern Ireland truly is a ‘must see’ destination. Our message is that there has never been a better time to come and visit Northern Ireland.”

PIC SHOWS: Top international tour operators enjoy a culinary treat at the Mourne Seafood Cookery School in Kilkeel, with tour guide David McAnirm (front, second left); and Roger Moynihan, head chef at the Mourne Seafood Cookery School (front, second right).