Land use policy and tourism in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Northern Ireland's traditional and unspoilt countryside and many natural features of interest provide the area with a comparative advantage in tourism. This article looks at ways in which these valuable resources can be protected and sympathetically developed through planning, preservation and conservation strategies and policies. There is a clear need for increased cooperation and consultation over land use policies in Northern Ireland if the area 's tourist attractions are to be developed. The role of Integrated Rural Development is looked at with specific reference to the Mournes area, and is seen as a step towards maintaining the area 's attractiveness and realizing its tourist potential.