An "image problem" may explain a fall in visitor numbers to Northern Ireland from across the border, according to a review of the tourism industry.
Overnight visitors from the Republic of Ireland declined by 7% in 2013.
A report for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) said "social unrest over parades and flags" had potentially had an impact.
It also said the local tourism industry was worried about "continuing sectarianism and racial prejudice".
The report said there needed to be "concerted action to promote a safe and secure image of Northern Ireland, including targeted marketing".
The review was ordered by DETI minister Arlene Foster last year.
It calls for a need "to deepen the relationship" between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and Invest NI.
It rules out a merger, but suggests a shared office and renaming the Tourist Board either Visit NI or Discover NI.
The recommendations contained in the report have been put out to public consultation.
It calls for an updated strategy and says the Tourist Board needs to improve "partnership working".
"NITB is at a crossroads," the report's author writes.
"Given the board's achievements in recent years... I am confident that NITB will meet the challenge."
Here: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28136326
Report here: http://www.detini.gov.uk/deti_tourism__14__review_doc_2-7.pdf
A first professional survey of Orangemen in Fermanagh found the following:
- Almost 50% of respondents believe the rule barring Orangemen from attending Mass should be changed. Just 25% believe it should stay.
(The Mass finding may be influenced by the overwhelmingly Church of Ireland make-up of Fermanagh Orangemen, with 77 per cent coming from an Anglican background.)
- 43% believe shared education should be encouraged, with 30% opposed
- 33% of Fermanagh Orangemen do not think the Order is doing enough to promote good relations.
- Only 44% believe the wider Protestant/unionist community understand them.
One member told researchers:
"No matter how we create good relations in Fermanagh we will always be let down by the hooligans in Belfast who tarnish our reputation."
The information-gathering exercise was run by consultancy firm Green Hat and partly funded by Fermanagh District Council. The survey was sent to all the county’s roughly 1,800 Orangemen. The survey was run with the aim of improving relations in the Fermanagh area. A large percentage – almost a third – responded, and the results were published as a 166-page report last night.
http://m.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/drop-mass-ban-say-rural-orangemen-1-5992486
