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IMAGE AND OPPORTUNITIES – THE KEY TO SUCCESS By GAVIN CARROLL - NI HOTELS FEDERATION VICE PRESIDENT and GENERAL MANAGER OF THE MERCHANT HOTEL
“I
was recently asked to comment on the issues around staffing and Brexit. As Article 50 has now been implemented and our exit from the EU has begun, I have concerns about the repercussions in our multinational workforce. The hospitality sector in Northern Ireland relies heavily on outof-state workers to supplement our workforce. Indeed, with some 23% of those employed in hospitality falling into this category, we are the sector that depends most on and has the greatest reliance upon the non-national workforce. The Merchant Hotel, where I am general manager, is no exception. In our kitchen brigade, we currently have seven different nationalities employed and this diversity is reflected throughout the hotel operation. Since the announcement that Britain was to leave the EU, we have seen many foreign employees leave us and seek employment outside the UK. Our ability to replace these skilled staff from abroad has also been hampered. Uncertainty about a long-term future in the UK makes coming to work in Northern Ireland a less attractive option. One of the reasons we have struggled to get homegrown staff, and a primary reason that we have become so reliant on out-of-state workers, is our inability to improve the image of the industry on a local level. As a sector, we have great opportunities on offer and a diverse range of career paths available but we are failing to get this message across. In countries like Italy, a career in hospitality and tourism is respected and recognised as a vocation, backed by a strong service culture and craft training. We are not managing to create the same impression locally or able to leverage the same type of training support. The hotel sector is currently undergoing a period of unprecedented growth. There are over 1,000 hotel bedrooms under construction in Belfast alone and their completion will create 1,000 new jobs. The pressures of attracting staff have increased over the last year and the addition of new hotels will only add to this pressure. The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation has been working with other stakeholders to press for more recognition of the sector. A streamlined range of qualifications and new apprenticeship models are being created but the issue of image still remains a priority. Government is keen to see tourism become a bigger economic driver. In order for us to reach their proposed £1billion target, we need to ensure the needs of our industry are recognised, its value acknowledged, and the options that it can offer promoted to young people at an earlier stage. I’ve had a great career to date moving through the ranks of the industry to become a hotel manager at a young age. I know that we can offer similar opportunities to others and feel that addressing our image is an integral part to ensuring a successful future.” www.hospitalityreviewni.com
twitter.com: @Hosp_ReviewNI
RECORD NUMBERS CHECK IN FOR HOTEL RECEPTIONIST OF THE YEAR 2017 T here was a record number of entries for this year’s Hotel Receptionist of the Year competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, with 85 entries over three categories. The Hotel Receptionist of the Year ‘team competition’ will be decided by a mystery shop process. The individual categories: ‘Hotel Receptionist of the Year’ and ‘Most Promising Hotel Receptionist of the Year’ (for those with under one year’s experience) were judged at an assessment day in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast last month. Competitors underwent a series of challenges set by Life Adventure company. The tasks assessed their interpersonal skills, ability to cope under pressure and personal presentation. Nerves were quickly settled with balloons, blindfolds and tennis balls culminating in a shortlist of fourteen lucky competitors securing a place at the final interview stage. The National Trust also gave an insight into their many attractions in Northern Ireland. Commenting on this year’s competition, Janice Gault, Chief Executive of the NIHF said: “This is one of the highlights of the NIHF calendar and the competition has grown in popularity year-on-year. The judges were impressed with the exceptionally high standard of participants and found it very difficult to shortlist. They commented on the professionalism, passion and knowledge displayed by the competitors, noting they were a real asset to the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.” The competition is in its fourteenth year and has grown in popularity since it was relaunched over a decade ago. This year’s event is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Net Affinity and Right Revenue. Additional support has come from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The winners of the 2017 competition will be announced at a gala evening on 10th May in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen
TASTE OF TOURISM SUMMIT IS A FOODIE SUCCESS S
ome of the hospitality industry’s most esteemed personalities turned out in force to the annual Taste of Tourism Summit at The Culloden Estate and Spa recently for the one-day affair that showcased all that is good about NI food and drink. The event also informed guests about upcoming trends and challenges in the sector as well as entertaining with a Q&A with Michelin starred London chef Jun Tanaka. Eoghan Corry from Travel Extra addressed guests on the value of capitalizing on food tourism stating that offerings are more about the ‘sizzle and less about the steak’; “It is a performance industry. Tourists relate the maître d’ and the presentation as much as what happens in the kitchen,” said the travel writer. Meanwhile Catherine Fulvio - TV Chef, Author, Columnist and Country House Proprietor made the trip from Wicklow to discuss the important issues of skill shortages while sharing her story about growing up on a farm to becoming one of Ireland’s favourite TV chefs. Local food and drink producers set up shop to showcase their offering while the highlight, for many, was the delectable tapas style lunch that incorporated innovative small dishes from local producers and succulent, self-serve pork ribs followed by Chocolate Avocado Red Quinoa Egg! Having a Quail of a Time at Taste of Tourism Summit. Michelin star chef Jun Tanaka (second from right) shares his top tips with (L-R) Fergal Mulligan, Bunzl McLaughlin; Ciaran Meyler, United Wine Merchants Ltd and Paul McKnight, Culloden Estate and Spa. Organised by NI Hotels Federation (NIHF), Taste of Tourism provided businesses with an opportunity to listen to the experiences of a range of speakers, who have used food and drink to attract new customers, improve profits and enhance their reputations.
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