MLAs Philip Brett and Diane Forsythe marked Northern Ireland Tourism Week this month with a visit to Chestnutt Holiday Park in Cranfield, one of four parks operated by the Chestnutt family in the Kingdom of Mourne.
Brett, who is the economy spokesperson for the DUP and chairs the Committee for the Economy at the Northern Ireland Assembly, joined Forsythe, the MLA for South Down, for a tour of the park’s 25-acre grounds.
The pair was welcomed by Geoff and Richard Chestnutt, directors of the family-owned company founded in the late 1960s by their parents, Freddy and Rosemary Chestnutt.
The group’s parks now comprise around 700 pitches, offering holiday caravans for private owners, holiday homes and cottages to rent, as well as facilities for touring caravans, motorhomes, and tents.
The MLAs also officially opened a new development project that will deliver a five-star washroom facility for touring guests. Construction, carried out by local contractors, is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 holiday season.
Geoff Chestnutt highlighted the economic value of holiday parks, not only through visitor spending but also by providing direct employment.
The four Chestnutt parks, all members of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, sustain around 40 jobs and create training opportunities for those entering tourism and hospitality.
He added that the business follows sustainability practices including habitat creation to support wildlife, the use of solar panels, and a biomass boiler to reduce its carbon footprint.
“We were delighted that Philip Brett and Diane Forsythe were able to take time out to visit our park, and to learn more about what we are achieving here,” Geoff said. “We were able to outline a number of our hopes and ambitions for the future, and to share some of the challenges which the parks sector is now facing.”
Brett emphasized the wider role holiday parks play in Northern Ireland’s economy.
“Holiday parks play a vital role in sustaining and growing the tourism economy here in Northern Ireland, providing high-quality experiences that keep visitors returning year after year,” he told Newry.ie.
“They support local jobs, boost rural communities, and showcase the very best of what our country has to offer. I am delighted to see Chestnutt Holiday Park’s continued investment into the sector, strengthening the visitor offering and ensuring Northern Ireland remains a welcoming and competitive destination for all.”
Tourism and Hospitality Week, which runs annually, aims to highlight the sector’s contribution of £1.1 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy and the more than 70,000 jobs it supports.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, the visit underscores the importance of ongoing investment in facilities and sustainability initiatives, both of which are increasingly central to competitiveness.
The Chestnutt family’s approach also demonstrates how holiday parks can align with regional economic development by prioritizing local contractors and job creation while meeting evolving visitor expectations.