Foster congratulates AA Campsite of the Year

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster today congratulated Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills, on winning the prestigious 2010 AA Campsite of the Year award for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This is the first time in the history of the award that a caravan park based in Northern Ireland has received the accolade.

Ballyness Caravan Park has been classified 5* status by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). It currently has 48 fully serviced pitches for both touring caravans and motor homes and 65 pitches for caravan holiday homes.

Congratulating the owners, David and Olive Dunlop, during a visit to the caravan park, Arlene Foster said: “Ballyness is a first-class caravan park with outstanding facilities and wonderful views across the county Antrim countryside. The AA Campsite of the Year award recognises the excellent services provided by Ballyness and demonstrates the quality of Northern Ireland’s tourism offering to a wide audience across the UK.

“Many people are rediscovering the delights of domestic breaks and caravanning is proving to be an extremely popular option. Recent figures released by the NITB show that during 2009, the total number of trips taken by Northern Ireland residents at home grew by over one third (+34%) compared to the previous year.

“During 2009, Ballyness Caravan Park had 84% total occupancy and provided over 26,000 bed nights. Early indications for 2010 show that the majority of local campsites are experiencing an increase in the volume of bednights. This has been boosted by a strong Republic of Ireland market, with 45% of site owners reporting an increase in demand compared to the same period last year.

“This highlights the important contribution that campsites make, not only to the tourism industry but also the rural economy through job creation and increasing visitor spend in the area.”

The Minister concluded: “David and Olive are to be commended for their ambition and determination and in bringing this award to Northern Ireland for the first time.”

Notes to editors:

1. Ballyness Caravan Park opened in April 2000, half a mile south of Bushmills village.

2. Ballyness Caravan Park has been classified 5* status by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) as part of the voluntary British Graded Holiday Park Scheme. The scheme is administered jointly by the National Caravan Council and the British Holiday and Homes Parks Association and is supported and endorsed by the NITB.

3. In addition to their recent achievement, Ballyness Caravan Park has won a number of awards since it opened. Some of these include;

• AA 5 Pennants Premier Park.
• Nine years of Gold David Bellamy Conservation Award.
• Fair Trader Award.

4. For further information visit Ballyness Caravan Park website

5. The NITB Tourism Barometer for June 2010 indicates that the majority (55%) of caravan and camping establishments are experiencing growth in the volume of bednights overall, primarily driven by the domestic market.

6. Caravan and camping was also boosted by a strong Republic of Ireland market, more than four in ten (45%) reported an increase in demand compared to the same period last year.

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