The greatest barrier to the creation of a vibrant tourist industry in Northern Ireland is street disorder, Tourism Minister Sir Reg Empey has said.

The minister was speaking on Friday as he outlined new targets for tourism for the next three years.

The number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland must increase by 25%, he said.

The minister, who set the target for the next three years, also said he wanted to see more of the overseas visitors to the Irish Republic coming across the border.

Sir Reg Empey set tourism targets

But Sir Reg said these targets could not be achieved unless there was "real peace" on the streets.

The call comes after recent sectarian clashes in north, south and east Belfast, which, the minister said, were shown on television screens around the world within minutes.

Tourism would be left in a "crippling straitjacket" unless there was peace, he said.

The minister outlined what he described as 10 essential priorities which would make Northern Ireland a "must visit" destination.

These included:

Developing a distinctive Northern Ireland product which was market led, sustainable and effectively packaged

Co-ordinating marketing to an agreed set of target markets

Delivering high quality in the tourism experience itself and in services to customers

Improving access to Northern Ireland by air, sea and road

Having a fully co-ordinated approach to tourism by all government departments, and encouraging much more private sector involvement.

Spending hopes

Sir Reg said he wanted to see a 9% yearly rise in tourist spending, bringing it up to �363m by 2004.

"Action is under way to turn this dream into a reality," he said.

"Within the Programme for Government, the executive has recognised the importance of tourism to the Northern Ireland economy.

"New structures have been put in place so that we are better placed to respond to visitor needs."

He said the final touches were being put to a fundamental review of Northern Ireland tourism policy on which all sectors of the tourism industry had been consulted.