Local councillor feels tourism is under threat from Brexit

by Gráinne Connolly

Local Sinn Fein Councillor for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, John Feely, has highlighted the potential damaging effects of Brexit on the tourism industry. 

He says: "Tourism in the North currently generates £754 million, attracts four and a half million visitors and sustains over 40,000 jobs. 

In Fermanagh we have seen great increases in the number of tourists visiting the county since the development of a number of sites such as the Cuilcagh Boardwalk."

The core concern for Councillor Feely was the facilitating travel once Brexit comes into play. 

He says "if people can't easily travel to the North then they simply won't come here."

"Initiatives such as the cross-border healthcare Directive, the Package Travel Directive, European Health Insurance cards and common consumer rights for people travelling across borders have all gone a long way towards encouraging tourism."

John Feely feels that the only way to prevent damaging the tourism industry is if the North achieves a Designated Special Status, through the Brexit negotiations.