Chair appointed to MEA Tourism Task Group

Mr Johnston, who is the Managing Director of the Galgorm Collection, will lead the group in the development and the implementation of a five-year Integrated Tourism Strategy for the Mid and East Antrim area.

Established by the Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy, the Task Group includes Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and a range of local businesses from across the hospitality and tourism sector.

The aim of the group is to provide a platform for key players and influencers to work together to deliver a clear action plan focused on recovery, and to raise the profile of the local tourism economy within the Mid and East Antrim area.

According to Mr Johnston, the work of the Task Group will continue to be “critical” in the coming months.

“Having been involved in one of the borough’s primary hospitality and tourism businesses for almost 20 years, I have witnessed first-hand the crucial contribution the sector makes to the local economy and to the wider culture and lifestyle offering of Mid and East Antrim,” said Mr Johnston.

“However, the challenges and threats posed by Covid-19 are among the greatest that our industry has ever experienced and will continue to impact significantly on our local hospitality and tourism businesses for some time.

“That is why a practical and tangible strategy that will drive recovery and sustainable growth must be developed and actioned.

“Led by the Task Group in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, this Integrated Tourism Strategy will be critical to our rebuilding a vibrant tourism economy that not only serves as an attractive draw for international and domestic visitors to the borough, but also continues to enhance the lives of its citizens.

“The strategy will put the safety of our visitors and our teams at the forefront and secure livelihoods for our colleagues,” Mr Johnston said.

Councillor Peter Johnston, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, welcomed Colin’s appointment.

The First Citizen said: “We are at a critical juncture for hospitality and tourism in Mid and East Antrim and, as a Council, we are committed to ensuring that the sector is supported in every way possible going forward.

“Our specialist Hospitality and Tourism Recovery Task Group has already made significant strides under the strong stewardship of Anne Donaghy in recent months and I have every confidence that the appointment of Colin Johnston as Chair will only further this.

“Colin brings with him a huge amount of invaluable insight and relevant experience that will undoubtedly prove to be a tremendous asset to all involved. I wish him every success in this new role and very much look forward to continuing to work with him, and his colleagues on the Task Group in the coming months.”