A drive to kick-start Northern Ireland's tourism industry after foot-and-mouth was given strong backing by the Northern Secretary, Mr John Reid, yesterday.
He gave the "Northern Ireland is open for business" message when he visited one of the North's main country house attractions as the National Trust announced a £1.3 million investment in its facilities.
At Mount Stewart, outside Newtownards, Co Down, Dr Reid said he was visiting to make it clear that the North was open for tourism.
On Monday the latest foot-and-mouth scare on the north Antrim coast was proved negative, leaving the region with just four confirmed cases, none in recent weeks.
Dr Reid said the latest figures showed 1.6 million annual visitors to tourist attractions, which meant some £320 million towards the local economy.
In the Glens of Antrim the tourism industry welcomed the news that the suspected foot-and-mouth case had proved negative and that restrictions were being lifted. Ms Dianna Poole, chairman of Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens Ltd, appealed for residents to help rescue the industry.