Bann Tourism Conference Calls For Imaginative Approach To Future Development

The SDLP sponsored conference on ‘Realising the potential for river based tourism on the Bann’ produced a wide range of ideas to achieve that potential.

Held at the recently developed Cranagh boating centre on the banks of Bann just north of Coleraine on Friday, the conference attracted participants with a range of river related interests including cruising, fishing, canoeing, rowing along with councillors and tourism officers from Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena.

Presentations were given by speakers representing Waterways Ireland, the Lower Bann Advisory Group, Coleraine Tourism office, the Regional Tourism Organisation, Ulster Waterways and Tourism Ireland.

Opening the conference North Antrim MLA Seán Farren said: “The SDLP has a very keen interest in ensuring that tourism reaches its full potential not only in the well known venues like the Giant’s Causeway but also in the towns and villages along the Bann. An integrated approach must be adopted to ensure that that all of the agencies are working together to produce attractive packages that will bring more visitors to participate in activities along the Bann. The conference was planned to help achieve this objective.

Cllr John Dallat MLA spoke of the river related developments that have taken place elsewhere and of the enormous benefits that have followed for many local communities. He argued that there is absolutely no reason why the same could not happen along the Bann provided the necessary investment is made.

Cllr David McClarty MLA emphasised the critical need to balance development with the necessity to protect the environment of the Bann. The Bann, Cll McClarfty said, is an invaluable part of our environmental heritage and must not be damaged. Already pollution problems are significant along some stretches and some river based activities pose threats to the rivers eco-systems.

Mr John Ellis TD who represents the Sligo-Leitrim constituency in the Dail, a constituency which has benefited immensely from developments along the Shannon including the Erne-Shannon waterway, emphasised the need for bold steps and an imaginative approach to river based tourism.

He said: “There were many sceptics who said the reopening of the Erne-Shannon waterway would produce a white elephant. A decade afterwards this waterway is proving itself to be one of the most significant cross-border economic projects ever developed. It is a great example of a political will to seek out new opportunities and not to fight shy of investments that are for the longer term good of our communities.”

This view was echoed very strongly by several speakers including Mr Erskine Holmes of the Ulster Waterways Group who said that reopening the Ulster Canal would bring untold benefits to many local communities and would see cruising traffic increase in the Lower Bann. He said a network of canals could be developed linking the whole of Ireland which would attract many river enthusiasts from all over Europe and beyond.

A strong plea was made by several speakers for much closer cooperation between agencies involved in managing the Bann and those involved in tourism Some pointed to a lack of information such that marketing the Bann’s attractions was not being done in the most effective ways.

“It is critical,” said Moira Mann, Tourism Officer from Coleraine Borough, “that we get the right tourism packages together so that they can be marketed at home and abroad in the most effective ways possible.”

Don Wilmont of the local Regional Tourism Organisation and Mark Henry of Tourism Ireland said that Northern Ireland was enjoying a very rapid growth in visitor numbers and that the Causeway area was particularly benefiting. The critical need now is to encourage longer stays and to have a good range of activities and other attractions to keep visitors in the area for longer periods of time.

Several speakers complimented the SDLP on holding the conference saying that it was timely and they hoped that action would follow on the many excellent recommendations made.