New chairman for the Northern Ireland tourist board

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has announced the appointment of Mr Howard Hastings as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

Mr Hastings has been appointed as Chairman of the NITB, from 1 March 2009 until 31 December 2011.

Commenting on the appointment, the Minister said: “Despite the current economic downturn, I am confident that Mr Hastings will make a significant contribution to NITB’s endeavours in contributing to the achievement of stretching tourism targets in the Executive’s Programme for Government.

“The wide range of skills and experiences that Mr Hastings will bring to the board can assist the NITB in its pursuit to grow and develop Northern Ireland tourism.”

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

Chairman of the Board of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board carries a remuneration of £22,695 per annum.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Executive’s Programme for Government has set targets that include increasing the number of tourists visiting the region from 1.98million to 2.5million by 2011 and increasing tourism revenue from £370million to £520million.

2. Mr Howard Hastings

Mr Hastings is currently the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels. He is also a Director of Merrion Hotel Ltd (ROI) and is on the Board of Governors at Rockport School Ltd. He is currently the Chair of DEL’s Future Skills Action Group (Tourism and Hospitality Sector). He was originally appointed as a member of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 1 January 2009.
During the 1990’s he was Chairman of the Institute of Directors and Founding Chairman of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.
He has also been a member of Castlereagh College governing body and a Board Member of Business in the Community and the Bank of Ireland Advisory Board.
Previous public appointments include Tourism Ireland, T&EA, Investors in People, New Deal Task Force and the Tourism and Hospitality Training Council.
Mr Hastings has not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

3. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board was originally established under the Development of the Tourist Traffic Act (NI) 1948. Its constitution and continuation were affirmed in the Tourism (NI) Order 1992. NITB is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment from monies provided by Parliament. The aims of the NITB are to:-

(a) encourage tourism;
(b) encourage the provision and improvement of tourist accommodation and tourist amenities; and
(c) advise the department generally on the formulation and implementation of its policy in relation to the development of tourism.

4. Under the provisions of the Order, the Board of the NITB shall consist of nine members, including a chairman.

5. All appointments and reappointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published.

6. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.