Key Support Contacts

Mid & East Antrim (MEA) Borough Council

MEA Tourism Team

Growing the economy and developing our tourism potential are the top two strategic priorities for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.  We support our industry by providing assistance with tourism product development and in marketing local tourism providers at a regional and international level.  We want to know about your business and future plans to help you move forward or perhaps signpost you to someone else who can. 

Your first point of contact for the MEA Tourism Team is Zoe Lindsay, Tourism Business Engagement Officer.

E:  zoe.lindsay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or tourism@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

T:  +44 (0) 28 2826 2379

Who’s who in the MEA Tourism Team: 

MEA Business Support

Council’s Economic Development team provide a suite of bespoke business supports to help start-up or grow businesses. Register your details now to start your journey with Amplify and receive:

• Direct contact with a Business Client Manager to determine your support needs
• Advice and signposting to appropriate help
• Access to mentoring

Complete this online form to start your journey.  If you wish to request a call back instead, please:

E: amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: +44 (0) 28 2563 3363

MEA Town Centre Business Support

If you are a new or existing business based in Larne, Ballymena or Carrickfergus town centres and would like to receive support or regular updates from the Town Centre Team, please email the following details to towncentres@midandeastantrim.gov.uk :

• Business Name
• Address
• Email
• Contact Telephone Number

MEA Labour Market Partnership

Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership aims to support more people into meaningful employment. It focuses on improving labour market conditions and addressing issues with employers, training providers, as well as community and voluntary organisations.

E:  LMP@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

MEA Environmental Health Support

For all Environmental Health related queries in Mid and East Antrim please:
E:  MEA.envhealth@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: +44 (0) 28 2563 3394 (Ballymena area) or +44 (0) 28 2826 2498 (Carrickfergus / Larne area).

Tourism Bodies

Tourism NI

Tourism NI is responsible for the development of tourism and the marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination to domestic tourists, from within Northern Ireland, and to visitors from the Republic of Ireland.  

T:  + 44 (0) 28 9023 1221 or contact via enquiry form.

Tourism Ireland

Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland in Great Britain and overseas, increasing tourism to the island and supporting Northern Ireland to realise its potential. Tourism Ireland engages in strategic destination marketing on a worldwide basis and works in close cooperation with travel trade, online operators, media, carriers and industry partners on the island and overseas.

Contact via enquiry form.

VisitBritain

VisitBritain works with partners in the UK and overseas to ensure that Britain is marketed in an inspirational and relevant way around the world to develop the visitor economy. VisitBritain's partners include Government agencies such as UKTI, airlines and operators, global brands, and official tourism bodies in regions throughout the UK.

Contact via enquiry form.

Council's Partner Organisations 

Lough Neagh Partnership

The Lough Neagh Partnership is a stakeholder organisation that was established in 2003 to help manage and protect Lough Neagh.

E: info@loughneaghpartnership.org 

T: +44 (0) 28 7941 7941

Ulster-Scots Agency 

The Ulster-Scots Agency aims to promote the study, conservation, development and use of Ulster-Scots as a living language; to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture; and to promote an understanding of the history of the Ulster-Scots.
E:  info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

T:  +44 (0) 28 9023 1113

Industry Bodies

Available to provide support to specific sectors - membership fees may apply:

•   NI Tourism Alliance 
•   Northern Ireland Hotels Federation
•   Hospitality Ulster
•   Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) Network
•   Food NI
•   NI Food and Drink Association
•   Northern Ireland Tourist Guiding Association
•   Tour Guides NI
•   British Holiday and Home Parks Association 
•   National Caravan Council 
•   Bus and Coach NI (Formerly Federation of Passenger Transport Northern Ireland Ltd)
•   Outscape (the new name for Outdoor Recreation NI)
•   Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA)
•   International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) 
•   Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry
•   Ballymena BID
•   Économusée Northern Ireland Network (run by Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust)
•   NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry
•   Federation of Small Businesses
•   Retail NI
•   Craft NI
•   Women in Business
•   Visit Belfast 
•   Business in the Community