ONE of the north's smallest councils is coming up with the biggest of ideas for attracting inward investment and increasing tourism numbers.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, home to world-class companies such as Randox and Sensata Technologies among its 3,700 registered businesses, is developing a new strategy to raise its profile on the global stage.
And it plans to tap into the strategically key location of Lough Neagh and Belfast International Airport - which last year welcomed more than six million visitors - as being pivotal to keeping people within the borough, even for an extra night.
The council has appointed a project development manager to oversee the plan to capitalise on the physical accessibility of the borough, which already attracts more than 250,000 'pure' tourists a year but which is a gateway and crossing point for at least ten times as many.
"So many people - it's a figure now in the millions - pass through this borough each year, and we simply want to entice them to remain for a while longer and avail of the high-quality tourism, business, accommodation and conference facilities in this area," project manager Alan McDowell said.
"For a start, we're a vital gateway along the Causeway coastal route to the Giant's Causeway, which in itself attracts more than a million visitors a year from 160 countries.
"The 400-year-old Antrim Castle Gardens, one of the most historically intact gardens in UK and Ireland, had 500,000 visitors in 2018 and has been the venue for high status events such as Garden Show Ireland, the Ulster Pipe Band Championships and Enchanted Winter Gardens.
"Antrim and Newtownabbey is also served by some of the best road, rail and air transportation links and systems in Northern Ireland, with the M2 giving quick and safe access to all the major points of entry including Belfast Harbour, Larne Port, Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport.
"An excellent range of hotels offer visitors a variety and choice of high quality accommodation. Recent figures show a growth in bed nights as the area becomes an increasingly popular destination for visitors seeking to explore the rich cultural and heritage attractions the borough has to offer."
Mr McDowell added: "The Heritage Lottery Fund has allocated £2.58 million to manage and conserve the cultural, natural and built heritage of Lough Neagh through a Landscape Partnership Scheme to be managed by the Lough Neagh Partnership and which is match-funded by the council until 2021.
"Enough people know about us and pass through this place on a daily basis. Now we want to try to keep them for just a little while longer, which would in turn offer a massive economic boost to the borough."
