Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has visited the construction site of the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre.

The new Centre, located at the Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site is an integral part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Signature Project. It is a key initiative in developing Northern Ireland's tourism infrastructure and will further enhance its importance as a competitive tourist destination.

The project commenced in November 2010 and is on schedule to open in late June 2012 to coincide with the beginning of the Irish Open Golf Championship in Portrush. The official launch will be in Autumn 2012.

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Following the visit, Mr Wilson said: "This project is a major achievement for our local construction industry and demonstrates the ability of local firms to deliver high quality and innovative buildings that will attract even more visitors to one of Northern Ireland’s premier tourist attractions.

"In my previous role as Minister of the Environment I gave planning permission for the development of this visitor facility and therefore my visit to the site was particularly satisfying to see at first hand the plans and vision coming to fruition.

"We have waited a long time to see such a facility at the Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site. The number of local and international visitors here today clearly demonstrates that a state of the art visitor and information centre is pivotal to the experience of visitors wanting to learn and hear about our local heritage and history that surrounds the Giant's Causeway and the North Coast. The fact that it will be completed in time to tie in with the beginning of the Irish Open Golf Championship in Portrush will be an added bonus."

(CD)