On course to cash in
Thursday, 12 January 2012
The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle – hoping to benefit from the Irish Open being held in Portrush.
BALLYCASTLE and the wider Moyle area is hoping to benefit from last week's surprise announcement that the Irish Open will be held in Portrush this year.
The news is being seen as an economic godsend for the local tourist industry, with tens of thousands of fans expected to descend on the area for the four day event from June 28 until July 1.
Already accommodation providers in the Triangle area are said to be fully booked but will a lack of hotel accommodation in Ballycastle see the town overlooked? SDLP Moyle Councillor Dónal Cunningham has expressed fears that Ballycastle will miss out on the knock-on effects of what will be a world class event.
He said: "Our local town economy is likely to miss out on the significant potential tourism spend which this event will attract. "I would restate my recommendation made last year that an all-party working group made up of the town councillors meet with the relevant government departments and the Tourist Board to discuss the hotel issue and possible solutions to it.
“Ballycastle has a lot to offer visitors with its wealth of history, the natural beauty in and around the town as well as its proximity to the Glens, Rathlin and the Causeway.
“As a seaside town, Ballycastle has excellent static caravan parks and bed and breakfast establishments, but lacks quality hotel accommodation.
“The local economy needs people to stay over in the town, to shop in our local shops, eat in our restaurants and to drink in our pubs and clubs. A boost in the town's hotel provision would doubtless have a positive economic effect."
Overflow
Valerie Greene, of Fragrens Bed and Breakfast on the Quay Road in Ballycastle, said that so far she has had no enquiries related to the Irish Open.
However, she hopes that Ballycastle will benefit from over-flow visitors who cannot find accommodation in the Triangle area.
“We would hope to get the excess and I'm sure that we will. We have had enquiries but nothing specific to the golf so far, but we do expect it to happen.
“Most people will want to be closer to the golf, and you can't blame them for that!" she said.
Maureen Mitchell, proprietor of Ardtrabane Bed and Breakfast near the Giant's Causeway, reported a similar situation.
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