RECEPTIONIST AWARD WINNERS
All the winners and photos from last month’s glittering evening
Hospitality Exchange key speakers announced, Booking.com legal case, NIHF Golf Day, Member News and more
RECEPTIONIST AWARDS GOLF DAY
PHOTOS OF THE RECEPTIONIST AWARDS HELD ON 21ST MAY IN THE EBRINGTON HOTEL AND THE ASSESSMENT DAY HELD IN THE CLAYTON HOTEL.
This issue of Hotplate has been kindly sponsored by AIB Merchant Services.
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation
The McCune Building, 1 Shore Road
Belfast BT15 3PG
Tel: 028 9077 6635 Web: nihf.co.uk
Email: office@nihf.co.uk
Celebrations and refurbishments from members across the country.
All the latest from Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.. SOME PHOTOS FROM THE JUNE EVENT
Exchange celebrity chef announced along with another special guest speaker for
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As the first half of the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to pause and reflect.
At Federation HQ, it has been an extremely busy period. The Business Outlook event, held at the Clandeboye Hotel, was a sell-out success, featuring brilliant speakers and a formidable panel who took a deep dive into the theme: Build, Buy & Borrow.
We also had the pleasure of celebrating our fantastic receptionists in May, with a record number of entrants at the Ebrington Hotel, Derry – a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.
A huge thank you goes to all our sporting participants who took part in the famous NIHF Annual Golf Day at Templepatrick Golf Club, Kingfisher Country Estate. The Texas Scramble competition always proves great fun and, importantly, the event also helps raise muchneeded funds for my chosen charity, Air Ambulance NI.
Sincere thanks must also go to the NIHF office team, who put an immense amount of work into making these events such a success.
As we head into summer, we’re all looking forward to the return of annual events and concerts – and there are some incredible lineups across Northern Ireland for 2025. All of this culminates in the much-anticipated tee-off of the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. The 148th Open, held there in 2019, became the biggest sporting event ever hosted in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of over £100 million to the region.
Now, it’s time to prepare for the world stage once again. “Rory Fever” has certainly taken hold across Northern Ireland, with a record 278,000 fans expected to attend. His recent Masters victory has only added to the excitement surrounding his appearance at the Open, fuelling the narrative of “unfinished business”. We’ll all be rooting for him.
It has also been another eventful year in the hotel industry, with several acquisitions and new openings, and more to come in the year ahead. This is an especially exciting time for the Andras Hotel Group, as we launch our new 80-bedroom Portrush property – The Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton –
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR TOURISM NI
As we went to press it was announced that Tourism NI has appointed Laura McCorry MBE as its new CEO, to replace its outgoing chief executive John McGrillen.
Mrs McCorry will be leaving her current position as head
of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
She has worked for Tourism NI in the past as the Director of Product Development, and, before that, as Director of Corporate Development. She has also worked for National
the very first Hilton Tapestry on the island of Ireland.
Our next event is the Networking Lunch, which will take place at the Crowne Plaza Belfast on 18th June. During this, we will launch this year’s Hospitality Exchange. We have a few surprises in store and are genuinely excited about this year’s line-up.
I hope to see you all there. In the meantime, I wish you a busy, sunfilled, and successful summer.
Museums Northern Ireland as public engagement director.
Earlier in her career she specialised in inward development, working in the United States for Invest NI. She is the first woman to fill the role of Tourism NI CEO.
VICKY GREEN President
BOOKING.COM LEGAL ACTION
NORTHERN IRELAND HOTELS UNITE IN LANDMARK LEGAL ACTION
A game-changing opportunity for local hoteliers to reclaim losses and restore fair play in the online booking market.
The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation is working with the Irish Hotels Federation to support members and urging them to take part in a major collective legal action against Booking.com, following a decisive ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in September 2024. The court found that the platform’s long-standing use of “parity clauses” violated EU competition law—clauses which prevented hotels from offering better rates on their own websites or other platforms.
The case, spearheaded by the Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance and backed by HOTREC (the European hospitality association), is supported by over 25 national hotel associations, including those representing the UK and Ireland.
The collective claim aims to recover significant financial damages from Booking.com, potentially amounting to millions of euros in overpaid commissions across the sector.
For nearly two decades, parity clauses have placed Northern Ireland
hotels at a serious competitive disadvantage. These clauses not only inflated the cost of using Booking.com, they also handcuffed hotels’ ability to market directly to consumers. The result? Higher costs, fewer direct bookings, and less control over pricing and availability.
According to the ECJ ruling (Case C-264/23), hotels may now be eligible to reclaim a portion of the commissions they were forced to pay between 2004 and 2024—plus interest. This presents a once-in-ageneration opportunity for Northern Irish hotels to level the playing field and claw back financial losses.
This is a watershed moment for our industry with the Federation facilitating local hoteliers on a legal route to recover unfair costs and challenge the dominance of online booking platforms that have, for too long, dictated the rules.
The claim is being managed by a team of leading legal and economic experts with a proven track record, including their successful involvement in the 2024 ECJ judgment. It will be brought before courts in the Netherlands to ensure efficiency and consistency across the European market.
NISRA TOURISM STATISTICS
Tourism statistics for Northern Ireland in 2025 have finally been released. They point to a 13% drop in overnight trips compared to 2023.
International visitors were the one bright note in the figures; holiday visits from this group surged 25%.
The closing date for hotels to register their interest is 31 July 2025. Members can obtain all the details directly from the NIHF office.
Why This Matters for Northern Ireland
- Economic Recovery: The sector continues to rebound from postpandemic challenges and soaring operational costs. Every eligible hotel stands to benefit financially.
- Restoring Autonomy: Participating in the claim supports the broader goal of regaining control over distribution channels and pricing strategies.
- Collective Strength: The more hotels that join, the stronger the message to booking platforms: fairness and transparency must come first.
With the return of major events like The Open at Royal Portrush and a growing tourism market, this legal action arrives at a pivotal time for the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland. By coming together, hotels can turn the tide on years of disadvantage—and help forge a more equitable digital landscape for the future.
Read more about the figures on page 6.
JANICE GAULT
Chief Executive
PURPOSE BUILT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
PBSA GROWTH IN BELFAST RAISES CONCERNS FOR TOURISM SECTOR
Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Belfast has surged, with 30 sites now offering over 11,000 rooms—more than double the city’s hotel capacity. While reflecting strong investment in student housing, this growth is raising concerns within the tourism and hospitality sector.
Only six PBSAs are certified for tourist use, while around 7,000 rooms remain uncertified. Some properties have received certification without meeting planning conditions and others have been granted temporary changes of use, enabling them to operate as short-term lets. These often bypass the regulations, costs, and staffing requirements imposed on hotels.
One key example is The Edge on York Street. Built as an 11-storey, 307-unit student block, it struggled with occupancy in 2024–25. In March 2025, Belfast City Council
approved a temporary change of use for 92 rooms (30% of the building) for short-term letting until August 2025.
Such conversions highlight the regulatory grey areas and raise questions about fairness and urban sustainability. PBSA properties often trade only during peak months, unlike year-round hotels. Without proper enforcement, failing PBSAs may shift to the tourist market, impacting housing availability and hotel viability.
Stakeholders are calling for stronger regulation, improved coordination, and robust enforcement to protect Belfast’s tourism economy and ensure fair competition.
The Federation continues to engage with Belfast City Council and Tourism NI on this issue.
* This includes 156 rooms that do not meet the planning requirements to be certified. It also includes 93 rooms at The Edge which have been given a short-term change of use. † The
A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR HOTELS
WHAT THE 2024 TOURISM STATISTICS MEAN FOR HOTELS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
As Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry trades through a challenging 2025, the releasing of the 2024 tourism statistics by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) presents a mixed bag for hoteliers. The headline figure – an estimated 4.7 million overnight trips to Northern Ireland – marks a 13% drop compared to 2023. Hotels maintained occupancy in 2024; these figures, however, highlight the need to adapt quickly and strategically.
The most significant downturn came from within. Overnight trips by residents of Northern Ireland fell by 27%, signalling a waning domestic market. ROI (Republic of Ireland) visitors also declined by 14%, and those visiting friends and relatives dropped sharply by 16%. In contrast, international visitors from outside the UK and Ireland increased by 12%, with holiday visits from this group surging by 25%. This suggests that global interest in Northern Ireland as a destination remains strong but capitalising on it may
require addressing travel barriers, notably the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme now required for most EU visitors.
Despite fewer trips, visitors spent a total of £1.1 billion on overnight stays in 2024 although this too reflects a slight drop from the previous year. Hotels continue to be the dominant accommodation type, particularly among external visitors – 68% of whom stayed in hotels. Encouragingly, spend per overnight trip remained high, particularly from overseas guests, averaging £386, compared to £233 overall. This underlines the continued value of attracting long-haul tourists and premium travellers. Over £700m was generated from day trips from which hotels often benefit.
Geographically, Belfast maintained its position as the tourism powerhouse, accounting for 31% of all overnight stays and £470 million in visitor spend. The Causeway Coast and Glens followed with 23% of stays. While smaller councils such as
Mid Ulster and Lisburn & Castlereagh trailed behind in volume, they may present opportunities for boutique or experience-driven hotels to fill niche gaps.
The hotel sector also saw continued strength in occupancy, remaining well ahead of small, serviced accommodation and self-catering. However, occupancy trends suggest stabilisation rather than growth. The data suggested that hotels may need to respond by enhancing value through packages, digital engagement and partnerships with attractions and transport providers.
Of concern are the barriers to domestic travel with time constraints, financial pressure, and lack of motivation among the top reasons people didn’t holiday at home. For hoteliers, this reinforces the importance of targeted marketing and seasonal offers that can entice local guests for short breaks.
Looking ahead, the tourism sector faces both uncertainty and opportunity. While pre-pandemic levels for domestic visitors have fallen, the appetite among overseas travellers is a positive trend. The hotel sector has invested considerably since 2019 and there is an opportunity to capitalise on this outlay.
For now, the message is clear: success will require resilience, smarter targeting and a proactive approach to shifting travel behaviours. The time to pivot and adapt is now.
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL
» The Grand Central Hotel has announced the opening of The Cavern, an exclusive private dining experience led by the hotel’s renowned Executive Head Chef, Damian Tumilty. Hidden behind a sliding piece of artwork on the first floor, The Cavern accommodates up to 12 people.
NIHF MEMBER NEWS
MARINE HOTEL BALLYCASTLE
The Marine Hotel Ballycastle has joined the global B Corp community. B Corp certification is awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across five key areas: governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment.
“It’s who we’ve always been,” said Claire Hunter, Director of Marine Hotel Ballycastle. “We’ve always put people first, supported our community, and taken responsibility for protecting our beautiful coastal environment. Now, as a certified B Corp, we’re wearing that commitment proudly and helping to spread the word about doing business as a force for good.”
The Fitzwilliam Hotel has achieved the prestigious Chinese Tourist ‘Welcome’ Certification and has been accredited as a ‘China Ready’ and ‘Quality Approved’ Hotel, following a comprehensive programme of specialist training workshops.
Director of Sales and Marketing, Janine Gelston, said “This initiative reflects our forward-thinking approach to hospitality and our commitment to personal service. We have developed bespoke welcome strategies that respond directly to the unique needs and preferences of our Chinese guests; ensuring their visit to Northern Ireland, and to the Fitzwilliam Hotel in particular, exceeds expectations”.
Bishop’s Gate Hotel has secured a prestigious spot in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025, ranking No. 6 in the UK in the ‘Best of the Best’ Top Hotels category.
This year, Bishop’s Gate is not only in the Top 10. It is the only hotel from Northern Ireland to feature in the Top 25, joining the ranks of other esteemed establishments recognised in the UK, including St. Ermin’s Hotel, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and The Resident Covent Garden.
JP McCafferty, General Manager of Bishop’s Gate Hotel, said: “To once again be recognised among the top hotels in the UK is an incredible honour.”
BISHOP’S GATE HOTEL
FITZWILLIAM HOTEL BELFAST
GALGORM
» £2 million has been invested to renovate Galgorm’s six junior suites - which are now complete with private hot tubs on the balconies overlooking the River Maine - and to refurbish 45 superior rooms which are due for completion by July 2025. Set to open in autumn 2025, a new Forest Spa Garden represents an additional £1million investment.
MORE MEMBER NEWS
The Grand Central Hotel has appointed Damien McDonald as its new Deputy General Manager.
Damien has been with Hastings Hotels for over 20 years and in this time he has held a number of management positions across the group including Beverage Manager of the Europa Hotel, Food & Beverage Manager and Hotels Operations Manager of the Grand Central and most recently Group Beverage Manager.
The Harbourview Hotel has opened to the public, completing a £1.6m redevelopment and creating 45 new jobs. Formerly known as The Londonderry Arms, it was acquired by a consortium headed by hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master Irish whiskey distiller, Darryl McNally and entrepreneur Carl Harrison in summer 2024.
Described as Ireland’s first ‘whiskey hotel,’ The Harbourview is poised to capitalise on the growing whiskey tourism market in Ireland. The hotel bar will serve a collection of over 300 whiskeys, alongside classic whiskey cocktails and a collection of exclusive whiskey tasting flights.
THE HARBOURVIEW HOTEL
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL
The Receptionist Awards are supported by
RECEPTIONIST WINNERS
SUPERB EVENING IN EBRINGTON HOTEL TO RECOGNISE ALL RECEPTIONISTS
The winners have been revealed! After months of deliberation, the awards were announced by compere, Kim Kelly, on 21st May at The Ebrington Hotel, DerryLondonderry.
The winner of the team category is determined by a mystery shopping process, while individuals competing for the receptionist of the year titles participate in a series of challenges set by Life Adventure Company followed by multiple interviews.
The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the Year’, supported by Net Affinity, was Tara Lodge in Belfast Shipquay Boutique Hotel in DerryLondonderry was awarded second place and The Ebrington Hotel in Derry-Londonderry claimed third place.
Meanwhile, the winner of the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’
category was Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast. The runnerup was Ellie Darcy from Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry. The ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.
The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in DerryLondonderry. The runner-up was Shannon Donaldson from The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast and third place went to Leah Clarke from Ten Square Hotel in Belfast. For the first time ever, the competition also awarded two Highly Commended accolades to Lauren Ferguson from Harpers Boutique in Belfast and April Colquhoun from Maldron Hotel Derry. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ category was supported by Guestline.
NIHF President Vicky Green congratulated all the winners
and finalists: “This is the 19th year the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation has run the competition to find the best receptionists in Northern Ireland. Being a finalist in the Receptionist Awards is a tremendous accolade and shows a real commitment from the hotels involved.
“Funders and sponsors play a vital role in the awards and we are grateful for the support of Tourism Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Guestline, Net Affinity, Life Adventure Company and Insight6. We also extend our thanks to The Ebrington Hotel for hosting the awards dinner and to the Clayton Hotel for the assessment day.”
The competition, organised by the Federation, has run successfully since 2004, growing in popularity year on year.
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OVERSEAS TOURISM
TOURISM IRELAND THANKS VALUED HOTEL PARTNERS FOR THEIR ROLE IN WELCOMING 2 MILLION OVERSEAS VISITORS TO NORTHERN IRELAND IN 2024
It is hard to believe that June is now upon us and our tourism industry in Northern Ireland is entering into the busy summer season. Our valued hotel providers are welcoming guests from independent travellers to group tours and business travellers and showcasing the outstanding hospitality that we are known for right across the world.
NISRA reports that Northern Ireland welcomed 2 million overseas visitors in 2024, an increase of +3% compared to 2023, with visitor numbers from GB remaining stable and visitors from other overseas markets growing by +12%. Those overseas visitors are reported to have spent £633 million, which is -6% on 2023, driven by a softening in spend per night among visitors from GB – whereas spend from overseas visitors from other markets grew by +5%.
Overseas tourism plays a vital role for Northern Ireland, driving 60% of bednights and the share of total visitor spend coming from overseas growing from 55% to 58% in 2024 compared to 2023. We are truly appreciative of our hotel and wider accommodation providers for their partnership in growing our tourism economy. Over 70,000 jobs depend on tourism, and of those, 6/10 depend on overseas tourism specifically.
This year, there are headwinds to take account of – macro economic uncertainty can lead to consumers weighing up their holiday choices and there is a need to be competitive in this environment. Over the winter months up to the end of March, the Dublin Airport cap limited seat capacity at the island of
Ireland’s highest volume airport and key North American hub.
There is opportunity ahead. This summer will see +11% more airline seat capacity from North America, facilitated by the Dublin Airport cap being on hold under legal review, with new routes like Detroit, Nashville and Indianapolis opening up. We are stimulating demand for new and existing routes through co-operative marketing initiatives, including collaboration with key partners like British Airways and easyJet flying direct to Northern Ireland.
Tourism Ireland is investing in an extensive and targeted programme of activity across 13+ overseas source markets. Consumer marketing campaigns to inspire visitors to travel are taking a fresh direction this month, with our new global campaign ‘Ireland Unrushed’ live across 13+ markets showcasing new ways to explore the island and take time to enjoy scenery, culture and heritage more deeply. Of course, The Open is returning to Royal Portrush in July, and we have been working hard to drive demand overseas, as well as a legacy of strong programming.
In addition, Tourism Ireland is leveraging screen tourism opportunities such as our behindthe-scenes video campaign in Northern Ireland with the highly anticipated film How to Train Your Dragon; and our publicity programming is delivering inspiring content from credible sources, across press publications and broadcast TV overseas, to achieve a reach of over 550 million for Northern Ireland in 2025. We are
Alice Mansergh Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland
also providing overseas events and partnerships platforms to 250+ tourism businesses selling Northern Ireland in 2025, supporting industry partners to forge relationships with overseas tour operators who bring visitors at scale.
None of this would be possible without the continued support of our valued hotel partners. As we look towards the rest of 2025, we are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to working closely with all our partners to showcase the incredible scenery, rich heritage and warm hospitality of Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland to potential visitors around the world.
GETTING EVERYONE AROUND THE TABLE: SWALLOW AWARENESS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
"It was important to make eating out more inclusive and to make everyone able to come into a restaurant, the socialising and all that that brings. It's really important that the staff are aware of the needs of people for example cutting up food or extra sauce on their meal to make it easier to swallow.” Leah
Background
Eating and drinking is something most of us take for granted. It is often a social experience, maybe meeting friends for a coffee and a chat, going for a meal before a theatre show, or taking a loved one for a nice birthday meal to their favourite restaurant. For those with dysphagia (medical term for eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties) and their family members, this can quite often be an unpleasurable experience which can cause anxiety. A survey asked people living with dysphagia which areas of their day to day life they find most challenging.
Factsheet
The factsheet explains what dysphagia is and is packed with helpful tips to help hospitality staff make eating and drinking out safer, more inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.
Wallet card
A handy wallet card has also been created to support individuals with dysphagia. Given at diagnosis, it helps raise awareness and encourages open communication when dining out. The card features a QR code linking directly to the hospitality factsheet, ensuring key information is always within easy reach.
1 in 17 people experience dysphagia in their lifetime (British Medical Journal, 2022)
A partnership approach
Dysphagia NI is proud to partner with the hospitality industry, individuals with lived experience, and the community and voluntary sector to develop a practical, user-friendly factsheet designed specifically for hospitality staff. This collaborative initiative aims to raise awareness and support inclusive dining experiences, ensuring that people living with dysphagia can enjoy social occasions with confidence and dignity.
Hospitality sector survey
We are keen to hear from hospitality staff about their awareness and experiences in supporting people with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. Your insights matter—simply scan the QR code to complete our short survey.
GET OPEN READY
WITH THE RETURN OF THE OPEN TO ROYAL PORTRUSH NEXT MONTH IS YOUR BUSINESS ‘OPEN READY?’
The overall value of golf tourism reached a record £86.2 million in 2024 so attracting golf visitors to your businesses presents a significant opportunity not only for The 153rd Open but beyond.
Tourism NI has developed a toolkit to aid local businesses maximise the commercial potential around The 153rd Open and beyond. With information to prepare your business and staff, marketing content and access to a range of assets to use. You can access the toolkit and find out more about opportunities ahead of The
153rd Open visit tourismni.com/ the153rdopen.
In addition to this check out our e-learning module ‘Get Open Ready’ by taking this course you will learn how to prepare, promote, and optimise your business for The153rd Open by understanding visitor demographics, golf tourism trends, and the commercial benefits of hosting this world-class event. Find out more and get started on your e-learning journey at tourismni. com/mytourismni
Are you already using our assets or have you implemented something in your business ahead of The Open? We’d love to hear what you are doing, contact us at industry. development@tourismni.com and let us know.
INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE
HAVE YOU STARTED YOUR INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE JOURNEY?
Two thirds of people with a disability (or who travel with someone who does) say they look for accessibility information. 30% do not find useful accessibility information when researching accommodation in NI.
TNI commissioned an Inclusive & Accessible Tourism Industry Survey with the aim to gauge levels of accessibility within the industry and better understand what support could be provided to help make the tourism offering more accessible to all potential customers.
From the survey 45% of businesses rated themselves as not accessible but 69% of businesses perceived it as being important to be accessible.
Overall, the survey found low ratings across promoting accessible provisions, knowledge of inclusive and accessible tourism and awareness of disability legislation/ compliance.
High ratings included significant opportunities to improve
accessibility with support and that financial guidance and practical advice would help encourage improvements.
TNI recently launched a new Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Toolkit to help businesses enhance their inclusivity and accessibility for all visitors.
The toolkit provides practical hints and tips alongside reassurance and confidence to move forward inclusively, however new, or wellestablished the business is. This can be accessed at tourismni.com/ accessibility.
Alongside the toolkit there is an Inclusive and Accessibility course on our e-learning platform,
myTourismNI. This is designed to help guide you on your inclusive and accessible journey and as it is always on you can learn when and at a pace that suits you. Get started on your e-learning journey at tourismni.com/mytourismni.
EPIC FUTURES
TOURISM
AND HOSPITALITY EMPLOYERS URGED TO SHARE INSIGHTS ON
BARRIERS TO INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT
A collaborative policy research initiative is calling on hospitality and tourism employers across Northern Ireland to participate in a vital research project exploring inclusive recruitment. The project will also explore the practical steps needed to attract and retain diverse talent across the sector.
With over 300,000 people in Northern Ireland currently classified as economically inactive, representing 26.7% of the working age population, the research aims to uncover how the sector can engage and support underrepresented groups from this pool such as caregivers, individuals
with disabilities, women and retirees. Of particular significance is the nearly 50,000 people in this group who want to return to work and would benefit from fair and inclusive employment opportunities.
Why this matters:
There is untapped labour potential that could benefit your business and the wider sector. Building a more inclusive labour market is not only a social imperative, it is a strategic opportunity. Embracing a broader talent pool enhances innovation, resilience and long-term growth for the industry.
Powering hospitality with solar energy!
Hotels have huge potential to cut energy bills and reduce carbon footprints with solar power. Could your business be next to make the switch?
How to take part:
Employers can express interest and access the survey/interview sign-up via people1st.co.uk/projects/epicfutures-ni
EPIC Futures brings together academia, policymakers, business, community and voluntary sector to tackle challenges in the skills and employability landscape. Partnered in this grant research project are People 1st International, HATS, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), Tourism NI and the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA).
"Partnering with b4b Renewables has been a pivotal step in our sustainability journey. From the outset, the team took the time to understand our goals and carefully designed a tailored solution for both Dunsilly Hotel and Corr’s Corner Hotel. Their consultative approach, clear communication, and meticulous planning meant the installation of our solar panel systems was carried out with minimal disruption to our operations. It’s been a pleasure working with a business that genuinely shares our vision for a greener, more sustainable hospitality industry."
Eddie McKeever, Managing Director, McKeever Hotel Group
Get in touch with
Business Outlook Seminar
Glorious weather plus insightful and amusing updates were the hallmarks of another sold-out Business Outlook Seminar. Thank you to all that came along and to the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel for another great event.
And, thank you to our sponsors, Bank of Ireland, Britvic Ireland, STR, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
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Webb Wonders
Musings from the Federation’s
GROWING TOURISM
In a challenging economic climate, the clarity and ambition of Tourism Northern Ireland’s just published 2025/26 Operating Plan are welcome. The document not only sets out how the organisation will deliver against its corporate objectives but also aligns tightly with the wider economic vision of the Department for the Economy and the cross-government Programme for Government.
At its core, the Plan is driven by five strategic objectives that feel highly relevant to our industry, and familiar to us from the Ministers Economic Vision: regional balance, good jobs, productivity, sustainability, and strong organisational capability. Each is supported by concrete initiatives and 39 performance indicators spanning marketing, product development, industry capacity building, and organisational transformation.
So what should hoteliers take from it? Firstly, the emphasis on regional balance is good news. The plan puts weight behind growing demand across all of Northern Ireland—not just in Belfast and the usual tourist favourites. Campaigns targeting short breaks from across the island, overseas PR trips, and support
for new experiences all point to a tourism map that’s getting bigger.
Jobs, too, get serious attention. With staffing still one of the sector’s biggest headaches, the Plan includes a new Skills Action Plan, employer development programmes, and the continued rollout of training resources like MyTourismNI. The message? We need to attract, train and keep people—and make tourism a career, not a stopgap.
The Plan also points to a deepening of cross-border collaboration, particularly with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, on areas such as experience branding and luxury tourism development. For many NI hotels, this presents opportunities to be part of all-island product and sales platforms. There’s also a clear push to strengthen the MICE and golf tourism segments—important higher-yield markets that Northern Ireland is well placed to grow.
Sustainability is another notable thread. The Climate Action Programme, with support for carbon measurement tools and certification, is a smart move. Sustainability is no longer an optional extra—it’s a core driver of
competitiveness and reputation, particularly with environmentallyconscious travellers.
Capital investment, while modest in scale this year (£3.7m), is focused where it counts—supporting City and Growth Deal projects, visitor accommodation investment, and experience innovation. The longterm goal to grow overnight tourism expenditure to £2 billion by 2035 (up 67% from 2023) signals just how transformative Tourism NI believes the sector can be.
For hoteliers, the Plan provides both reassurance and a call to action. Reassurance in the form of a joined-up strategy and meaningful support for industry. A call to action to engage with the new opportunities—whether through experience development, skills programmes, or sustainability initiatives.
Tourism in Northern Ireland has momentum. The 2025/26 Operating Plan from Tourism NI gives it a clear and confident direction. Let’s make sure the hotel sector continues to play a central role in delivering that vision.
ANDREW WEBB ON A CLEAR ROADMAP FOR TOURISM GROWTH
14Th & 15Th oc Tober 2025 - crowne plaza belfasT
feaTuring Top chef akTar islam
Aktar is a multiple award-winning Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur. He is founder of the two Michelin-starred Opheem in Birmingham, a mentor on MasterChef The Professionals and a veteran judge on Great British Menu. plus hoTelier, businesswoman, and Television personaliTy
alex polizzi
Also at Hospitality Exchange this October: Rising Stars, STR Update, Talking Tourism and much more...
Alex combines a rich family legacy with her own successful hotel ventures, including Hotel Tresanton and The Star. She’s a renowned entrepreneur, speaker, and expert in transforming businesses through exceptional customer service. hospitalityexchange.org.uk
FEDERATION GOLF DAY
WINNING TEAM.
» The winning team in the Texas Scramble competition was the team from Stephen’s Catering Equipment.
The event was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Templepatrick and was well supported by trade and hotel members.
Members kindly donated 18 superb ballot prizes in aid of the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. We will update the amount raised on our social media soon.
Weev - 3rd Team
Hendersons Foodservice Team 1
Johnsons Belfast
Glenavon Hotel
Coca-Cola HBC NI - Runners Up
Golflinks Hotel
Stephens Catering Equipment - Winning Team
A TALE OF TWO TRENDS
NORTHERN IRELAND’S TOURISM DIP AND ITS GLOBAL CLIMB
Despite a dip in overall visitor numbers and spending in 2024, tourism remains a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s economy. According to the latest data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), the sector generated £1.8 billion—£1.1 billion from overnight stays and £700 million from day trips—supporting over 70,000 jobs across the region.
However, a closer look at the figures reveals a mixed performance across markets. Among the “close to home” markets, Great Britain remained stable, but overnight trips from the Republic of Ireland declined by 14%, while domestic tourism saw the sharpest drop, down 27%. Correspondingly, domestic visitor spend fell by 33%, with GB down 10% and ROI down 9%. At the same time, outbound travel by local residents surged by 23%, suggesting more locals opted for trips abroad.
Amid these challenges, long-haul markets provided a bright spot. Visitors from outside the UK and ROI increased by 12%, driven largely by strong demand from the United States. Their spending grew by 5%, signalling valuable potential for further expansion.
Interestingly, accommodation data presents a more optimistic picture. According to STR figures, hotel room occupancy in Northern Ireland climbed to 74% in 2024. Guest houses, B&Bs, and self-catering units also saw modest increases. This trend may reflect a decline in people staying with friends and
family, possibly shifting toward paid accommodation options.
Regionally, Belfast and the Causeway Coast and Glens maintained their dominance, together accounting for 60% of all visitor spending. Derry, however, recorded a 2% increase in expenditure, placing it third among council areas and highlighting its growing appeal.
Looking forward, the international outlook is encouraging. Summer 2025 will see an 11% increase in airline seat capacity from North America, boosted by new direct routes from cities such as Detroit, Nashville, and Indianapolis. The return of The Open to Royal Portrush in July is expected to be a major draw, alongside the 40th anniversary of the Derry Halloween Festival. Tourism Ireland is also launching a new global campaign— Ireland Unrushed—across 13+ markets and collaborating with airlines like British Airways and EasyJet to drive more direct arrivals into Northern Ireland.
Still, the sector faces significant headwinds. These include the introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, rising staff costs, persistent skills shortages, and wider global economic uncertainty.
Remaining competitive will depend on innovation to reduce costs, the creation of premium visitor experiences, improved accessibility, and a supportive tax and regulatory environment.
The government’s Tourism Vision and Action Plan outlines an ambitious goal: growing annual tourism spend to £3 billion by 2030—£2 billion from overnight stays and £1 billion from day visits.
Industry leaders are calling for urgent action: the release of government budgets and Tourism NI’s Corporate Plan, increased marketing in priority markets, capital funding for tourism development, and a reduced tax burden to enable businesses to thrive.
Despite current challenges, Northern Ireland’s tourism industry is wellpositioned for a resurgence— provided strategic investments and decisive leadership are delivered in the months ahead.
DR
JOANNE STUART OBE
NITA
GOOD JOBS BILL SHAKE UP
THE ‘GOOD JOBS BILL’ WILL POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE BIGGEST SHAKE UP OF EMPLOYMENT LAW IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN A GENERATION.
Following the public consultation on the Bill which ended last September, the Minister for Economy, Dr Caiomhe Archibald, released the Department’s response paper in May, setting out the proposals it now seeks to be brought into law. The proposals would have significant impact for hotel businesses of all sizes, and we will now look at four of the key proposals, and what it might mean for your business.
Zero hours contracts
These are casual agreements between employers and workers where the employer is not obliged to offer work, and the worker is not obliged to accept work. They are sometimes also referred to as casual or bank staff. The Department proposes a number of measures aimed to end exploitative practices by employers, such as an option exercisable by workers to move to a ‘banded hours’ contract which more accurately reflects the working pattern of the worker. The Department is also looking to ensure that workers are given reasonable notice of shift patterns, and the right to compensation where employers cancel or shorten shifts with little notice. The banning of zero hours contracts is not being taken forward, and much of the detail still needs to be explored. Many hotel businesses rely on casual staff, particularly to cover
weekends and the peak summer period, so thought should be given as to how your business may need to adapt.
Allocation of tips
In Northern Ireland there is presently no legal requirement for employers to distribute tips to their workers. Legislation is now proposed that will require employers to ensure that tips are fairly and transparently distributed to workers and required to keep records of what is received and how it is distributed, with workers having the right to access these records. While most hotel businesses already fairly distribute tips, this proposed change will add a degree of formality to the process.
Holiday pay reference period
The Department is proposing to move the holiday pay reference period from the current 12 weeks to 52 weeks, which would mirror the period currently used in Great Britain. An employee in Northern Ireland is entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave per year, made up of four weeks entitlement from EU law, plus 1.6 weeks provided under domestic law, plus any additional contractual annual leave on top of this. Holiday pay is straightforward to work out for employees who receive fixed pay, but for those workers whose hours or pay change, it can
complicate the calculation of the correct value of holiday pay. The current system involves looking back at the previous 12 weeks’ pay, but the proposal is to change this to 52 weeks. In most situations this is likely to reduce the burden on employers in calculating correct holiday pay, but could result in some situations where employees may become entitled to more holiday pay, particularly those who work irregular hours or work primarily seasonally.
Recognition of trade unions
Numerous changes are proposed in relation to trade unions, however, an important change for hotel businesses is the proposed reduction of the number of employees required before a trade union can claim for recognition by an employer from 21 to 10 employees. This will have a particular impact for smaller hotel businesses and will result in many workers in smaller businesses having access to a trade union.
If you have any queries please contact Linus Murray OR Andrea McCann at McKees on 028 9023 2303 or linus.murray@mckees-law. com or andrea.mccann@mckeeslaw.com
LINUS MURRAY
McKees
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Brought
What is DCC?
DCC gives your international customers the choice to pay in their home currency.
Benefits to the customer:
• Clarity – The amount quoted at the point of sale is the amount they will be charged by you, the merchant.
• Convenience - Transactions converted to the customers home currency
Keep it simple by asking your guests: “Would you like to pay in your home currency or local currency?”
Benefits to the Hotel:
• DCC generates a revenue stream for your hotel
• Enhances the guest experience with offering DCC For more information, contact Michael Finlay on 077 4398 3571 or Michael.Finlay@aibms.com
“Please choose the currency you wish to pay in”
Discover more through our online training portal, the DCC Academy. Scan here to get started.
