Minister Naoki Ito, Martin Graham, Destination Manager, Northern Ireland Tourist Board,Theresa McVeigh, Marketing Executive, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism
Robert Gibson, Director of Leisure, Development & Arts, Fermanagh District Council and Mr Tatsuya Ito
THE Fermanagh and Northern Ireland Tourism Industry welcomed Minister Naoki Ito and Mr Tatsuya Ito, First Secretary from the Embassy of Japan in the UK. This was part of a wider delegation which visited Northern Ireland organised by Invest NI and included the Ambassador of Japan to the UK, Mr Keiichi Hayashi and a delegation of seven Japanese businessmen, based in London, from 16th – 18th January 2013.
While in Northern Ireland Ambassador Hayashi & Minister Ito met with First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA. Unfortunately due to the Algerian crisis Ambassador Hayashi was unable to make the planned visit to Co. Fermanagh. However Minister Ito was able to spend an overnight in Fermanagh at the Lough Erne Resort amidst plans for the G8 Meeting where the Japanese Prime Minister as well as the seven other G8 leaders will congregate.
Robert Gibson, Director of Leisure, Development & Arts with Fermanagh District Council commented “We were delighted to welcome the Japanese delegation to Fermanagh. During the meeting with Minister Ito and his colleague Mr Ito they confirmed that the Lough Erne Resort and Co. Fermanagh would provide a fantastic venue for the G8 summit. This is the time to build relationships with our international colleagues which we anticipate will last throughout planning for the G8 and beyond.”
As part of their visit, The Northern Ireland Tourist Board hosted a tourism focussed lunch at the Manor House Country Hotel, Killadeas, Co Fermanagh with the Japanese delegates and representatives from Fermanagh District Council and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism.
Welcoming the guests, NITB Destination Manager, Martin Graham said,
“When eight world leaders descend upon Fermanagh in June for the G8 summit and attract the global media attention that will inevitably follow them, it’s a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on the tourism product in Fermanagh and the rest of Northern Ireland, presenting another big step forward for tourism here”.
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