Howard Hastings, former hotel manager, was announced as tourism chief on Friday by the Tourism Minister Arlene Foster, who said that Mr Hastings “range of skills and experiences would assist the NITB in its pursuit to grow and develop Northern Ireland tourism.”

This latest appointment, it is hoped, will help improve the tourism industry in NI, with the development of new tourist attractions and the improvement of existing industries catering for tourism, such as revamped hotels and an increase in the number of Irish car rentals available.  

Mr Hastings is expected to bring a breath of fresh air into the tourist industry in Northern Ireland, generating new and interesting developments.