Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated Old Bushmills Distillery on achieving the first four-star status by a Visitor Attraction under a new Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) grading scheme.

An advisory group of attraction operators worked with NITB to develop the new Visitor Attraction Quality Grading Scheme. To achieve a star-rating, attractions are subject to checks from a mystery visitor after which a written assessment offers advice on maximising customer satisfaction.

Arlene Foster said: "This exciting new initiative highlights both the high quality of our new attractions and the legacy of our established tourism treasures. It recognises the work of the tourism industry to provide new, dynamic and prosperous businesses that will benefit the visitor, the industry and ultimately the Northern Ireland economy.

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"I want to applaud Old Bushmills Distillery for their continued commitment to excellence. They have set the bar high in terms of quality, customer service and the visitor experience they are delivering. I encourage others to follow their lead and make the Northern Ireland tourism industry truly world-class."

Since the scheme was launched across the tourism industry in March of this year, ten visitor attractions have met the necessary requirements for grading.

The Minister added: "Tourists drawn to Northern Ireland by local and international publicity are being encouraged to explore and enjoy the very many attractions on offer. Situated on the popular North Coast, with the world-renowned Giant’s Causeway and its new visitor centre nearby, the Old Bushmills Distillery is well placed to capitalise on the growing demand and committed to the further progression of this unique tourism experience.

"This scheme offers a welcome accreditation for attractions throughout Northern Ireland. A large number of operators actively participate in equivalent grading schemes across the UK. The introduction of a star rating ensures that local tourism professionals can clearly communicate quality standards to visitors and maintain a competitive advantage with the wider industry."

(CD)