Hotels will be allowed to re-open in Northern Ireland on 20 July, the Executive has announced.
Hotels, holiday parks, caravan sites and self-catering, guesthouses, B&Bs and hostels will be allowed to open.
The move has been welcomed by the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation (NIHF) and marks one element of the ease in lockdown restrictions.
The Republic of Ireland’s hotels will also begin to welcome people back on 20 July.
Last week, the executive announced that hotels could start taking bookings again but a date was not given.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said she wanted to begin to re-open the tourist industry in a safe and managed way.
Holiday parks, caravan parks and self catering facilities may open earlier than 20 July, according to the minister. This will depend on scientific advice.
Sammy Wilson, MP for East Antrim, said the hospitality and tourism industry in Northern Ireland is among the hardest hit by the pandemic and will likely feel the devastating impact for many months, even years, to come.
“For Mid and East Antrim, in particular, this industry is absolutely vital to economic, social and cultural health – creating employment and wealth, and enriching local communities.
“That’s why it’s incumbent upon us to work collaboratively to develop recovery strategies that support local businesses in this sector.”
North Antrim MP Ian Paisley added: “Both Sammy and I have been hugely encouraged by the concerted action being taken by MEABC in setting up the Hospitality and Tourism Recovery Task Group.
“Action now will help preserve the future employment of the many thousands who work in the sector.
“As well as doing anything we can to support MEABC, the Task Group and its members on the ground locally, we give our commitment that we will do everything in our power to ensure that their issues and concerns are addressed at Westminster.”
Referring to the Council’s proven track record for delivering economic recovery, Mr Paisley said: “The development of a collaborative model for the delivery of economic recovery is an approach already very successfully deployed by MEABC in its Manufacturing Task Force – established in recent years to address the impact of the sudden closures of two of its biggest employers, Michelin and JTI.
“With a proven track record for driving local economic recovery – including attracting new investment into the Borough and the creation of new jobs – I am confident that the efforts of the Council and its Task Group partners will quickly bring about a much-needed boost for hospitality and tourism businesses in Mid and East Antrim.”