RECEPTIONIST WINNERS
RECEPTIONIST AWARDS
PHOTOS FROM THE AWARDS DINNER AND THE ASSESSMENT DAY.
MEMBER LUNCH
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 HOTPLATE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As we move into summer, the hospitality sector enters what is traditionally one of its busiest periods. While longer days, a packed events calendar and continued visitor demand provide reasons for cautious optimism, businesses remain mindful of the economic and operational challenges that continue to shape the trading environment. Across Northern Ireland, the months ahead present significant opportunities to showcase the destination and the strength of our tourism offering, while also highlighting the resilience of the businesses that underpin it.
Like the summer weather, however, the outlook remains difficult to predict. Bright spells can quickly give way to cloudier conditions, and while there are many positive indicators, uncertainty continues to be a defining feature of the operating environment. Hospitality businesses remain adept at navigating changing circumstances, but economic, political and global factors continue to influence decision-making and consumer confidence.
This year we welcomed several new additions to the hotel market, including The Bedford Hotel and the Aloft & Residence Inn developments. Together with The Malone Hotel’s extension, a total of 334 new bedrooms have entered the market, reflecting continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s tourism potential.
Investment also remains strong, with an estimated £150 million
expected to be invested across the sector during 2026-27. The Adagio Hotel is anticipated to open in early 2027, while a number of other projects are expected to break ground over the coming months, further strengthening our accommodation offering.
At the same time, global events continue to shape travel patterns. Developments in the Middle East may impact perceptions of risk among some international travellers and contribute to rising travel costs. Conversely, higher airfares, extreme weather in some destinations and political uncertainty beyond Western Europe could encourage more people to holiday closer to home. Alongside these factors, the challenges of profitability, recruitment and workforce sustainability remain front of mind, particularly as guests increasingly seek authentic, experience-led breaks.
The NIHF calendar has certainly been a busy one. We enjoyed a sold-out Business Outlook conference at the Clandeboye Lodge, featuring an outstanding line-up of speakers and weather to match. Our annual Golf Day at Lough Erne Resort proved another great success, albeit under slightly greyer skies, and most recently we celebrated the exceptional individuals who represent the very best of our industry at the Receptionist of the Year Awards in the newly refurbished Armagh City Hotel.
It was also a pleasure to welcome members to the Crowne Plaza Belfast recently, where we shared
exciting updates on Hospitality Exchange 2026. The event will return to the Crowne Plaza on 13 and 14 October and promises another excellent programme focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of hospitality.
We are also very much looking forward to welcoming the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Belfast this August. Taking place from 2 to 9 August, the festival will transform the island’s only UNESCO City of Music into an eight-day celebration of culture, heritage and creativity. Expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors, it represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland on a global stage and further strengthen our reputation as a destination of choice.
With this event in mind, I wish you all a successful and busy summer and once again thank you for your continued support.
VICKY GREEN President
VAT
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY OR THE START OF A BIGGER CONVERSATION?
Few issues have generated as much debate within hospitality over the past year as VAT. Across Northern Ireland, businesses continue to face rising employment costs, increasing utility bills, inflationary pressures and ongoing profitability challenges. Against that backdrop, the recent Summer Savings initiative, which reduced VAT on children’s meals to 5%, was welcomed as recognition that affordability matters to families and that hospitality businesses are operating under significant pressure.
However, the scheme feels more like a limited pilot than part of a wider strategic approach to supporting the sector. Hospitality organisations, businesses and Executive Ministers have argued for VAT reform for decades, highlighting the challenges faced by an industry that is a major employer, tourism driver and contributor to local economies. Yet meaningful progress has remained elusive.
The newly launched #VATsTheProblem campaign has
once again brought the issue into the spotlight. Spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge and supported by hospitality organisations across the UK, the campaign is calling for a reduction in hospitality VAT to 10%, bringing the UK closer to many European competitors. The campaign highlights a simple reality: hospitality is one of the few sectors that cannot offshore jobs, relocate production overseas or fully automate customer service. It creates employment in every town, city and rural community and should be recognised as a strategic economic sector rather than simply a source of tax revenue.
For consumers, VAT is largely invisible, but for hospitality businesses it is a significant cost. For every £1 spent by a guest, only around 83p remains once VAT has been paid, reducing resources available for investment, wage growth and expansion. At a time when governments are focused on economic growth, regional development and job creation, there
THE IRISH VAT JOURNEY
YEAR VAT RATE DETAIL
1986 10%
Executive
is a strong argument that hospitality should be viewed not merely as a source of tax receipts but as a sector capable of delivering wider economic benefits.
The reduction to 5% VAT on children’s meals has generated positive headlines, but many businesses have been left with questions around implementation, administration and long-term objectives. Most concerning is the lack of meaningful engagement with the sector before its introduction and the absence of clear plans to measure its effectiveness.
Special reduced rate introduced for tourism and hospitality services, including hotel accommodation.
2000s 13.5% Tourism services became part of the wider reduced VAT rate category.
Jul 2011 9%
Special "second reduced rate" introduced for tourism and hospitality, including hotel accommodation as an economic stimulus measure.
Nov 2020 9% COVID-era temporary reduction from 13.5% to 9% for tourism and hospitality services, including hotels.
Sep 2023 13.5% Tourism and hospitality services, including hotels, returned to 13.5%.
Jul 2026 9% Restaurant and catering services reduced to 9%, but hotel accommodation remains at 13.5%.
JANICE GAULT Chief
CHILDREN’S MEALS VAT REDUCTION
A temporary 5% VAT rate will apply to qualifying children’s meals consumed on hotel, restaurant and café premises from 25th June to 1st September 2026, subject to the necessary legislation being enacted.
To qualify, a meal must be marketed and sold specifically as a children’s meal. Eligibility is determined by how the meal is presented, priced and promoted, not by who
consumes it. Dedicated children’s menus and children’s meal deals are expected to qualify, including any included non-alcoholic drink.
The reduced rate does not apply to adult meals, smaller adult portions, discounted meals, shared meals, takeaways, alcoholic drinks or separately charged extras and upgrades.
Hotels should review children’s menus, meal deal pricing, EPOS/ VAT coding and staff guidance, and retain clear evidence that qualifying meals are marketed and sold as children’s products.
Further guidance is expected and will be circulated when available.
If Government is serious about understanding how tax policy can support consumers and businesses, the Summer Savings scheme must be properly evaluated. What impact does it have on family spending? Does it increase footfall, overnight stays or wider visitor spend? Most importantly, does it deliver sufficient economic benefit to justify a longerterm approach?
Before any decision is made on the future of the initiative, there should be a full review involving industry stakeholders. Extending the scheme beyond the summer period would allow a more meaningful assessment and provide businesses with greater certainty when planning menus, pricing and promotional activity.
For Northern Ireland, the VAT debate carries an additional dimension. From 1 July 2026, the Republic of Ireland will reduce VAT on food and catering services from 13.5% to 9%, while hotel accommodation will continue to benefit from a reduced rate of 13.5%, maintaining a significant advantage over Northern Ireland’s 20% rate.
This is not a new approach. Successive Irish governments have recognised the strategic importance of tourism and hospitality for decades. Since the introduction of a reduced VAT rate for hotels, restaurants and tourism services in the 1980s, the principle has remained consistent: hospitality is viewed as an economic driver worthy of targeted support.
The latest reduction reinforces that long-term policy direction. The Irish Government is prepared to forego tax revenue because it believes the wider economic benefits in employment, tourism, regional development and business investment justify the cost. For Northern Ireland businesses operating on an all-island basis, the contrast is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Differences in taxation matter. They influence pricing, consumer behaviour, investment decisions and competitiveness, particularly in border regions where businesses often compete for the same customers, visitors and events.
Across Europe, reduced hospitality VAT rates are the norm rather than the exception, reflecting the sector’s role in supporting employment, tourism and local economic activity.
Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent years. Businesses have invested, expanded and continued to create jobs despite significant headwinds. However, resilience should not be mistaken for an unlimited capacity to absorb rising wage bills, increasing regulation and higher operating costs while competing with jurisdictions that enjoy more favourable tax environments.
The Summer Savings initiative presents an opportunity to gather valuable evidence about the
relationship between VAT, consumer demand and business performance. Rather than allowing the scheme to quietly expire, Government should commit to a full review of its impact, engage directly with industry and consider extending the initiative while that assessment takes place.
More broadly, there needs to be a serious conversation about VAT competitiveness. Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry competes not only with businesses across the UK but also with operators just a few miles away in a neighbouring jurisdiction that has consistently used VAT policy to support tourism and economic growth.
The hospitality sector is not seeking special treatment. It is asking for a level playing field and evidencebased policymaking. If the objective is to grow tourism, encourage investment, support regional employment and build a stronger economy, then VAT must be part of that discussion. The Summer Savings scheme should be the beginning of a broader review of hospitality taxation, not simply a short-term intervention that comes and goes without meaningful evaluation.
The question facing policymakers is straightforward: if our nearest competitor continues to use VAT strategically to strengthen its tourism and hospitality sector, can Northern Ireland afford not to do the same?
MERCHANT HOTEL IS 20
» Marco Marro, Food and Beverage Manager, The Merchant Hotel celebrates the release of a special 20th anniversary edition afternoon tea with colleagues, Ellie Armstrong and Kirill Fennells in The Merchant’s iconic Great Room Restaurant.
NIHF MEMBER NEWS
A key milestone has been reached in the development of a new Adagio Original Aparthotel in Belfast city centre, as project partners gathered to celebrate the topping out ceremony for the £25 million redevelopment of a former office building on Great Victoria Street. The ceremony was attended by representatives from developer Andras House Ltd, funder Danske Bank, and main contractor Martin & Hamilton, marking the completion of the building’s structural works.
The Adagio aparthotel will feature 136 apartments, including a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments. Each apartment will include a spacious living area with a work space, fully equipped kitchen, full air-conditioning and a modern bathroom. Guests will also benefit from a range of hotelstyle amenities, including a daily breakfast offering and a 24/7 pizza bar serving freshly baked pizzas and drinks. The aparthotel expected to open in April 2027.
Formerly known as Rooms at Rue, the business has expanded into a full hotel offering in the heart of Omagh town centre, now featuring 23 bedrooms with more to follow, function suites, meeting spaces, a restaurant, and a collection of distinctive bars and live entertainment venues.
The transition to Hotel Rue reflects the continued growth of the business and its commitment to delivering high-quality hospitality experiences for both visitors and the local community.
ADAGIO BELFAST
HOTEL RUE
The owners of the four-star Marine Hotel Ballycastle, Claire Hunter and Colum McLornan, have announced the appointment of Schulte European Group as the hotel’s new management operator.
After 13 years of ownership and operation, Claire and Colum have made the strategic decision to partner with an experienced international hospitality operator to support the hotel’s next phase of growth.
LA MON HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
La Mon Hotel & Country Club has been awarded a prestigious 4-star rating by the AA, recognising the hotel’s commitment to exceptional hospitality, high-quality facilities, and outstanding guest experiences.
VOCO BELFAST
Hayley Norton was award the HR Impact Award for IHG UK & Ireland at the recent celebrations in the Crowne Plaza Liverpool. A significant achievement, recognising a HR team or colleague who is committed to people.
HASTINGS HOTELS
James McGinn, MD of Hastings Hotels, has been presented with his Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in recognition of his outstanding contribution to tourism and hospitality.
CHARITY DONATION
NIHF President Vicky Green had the pleasure of presenting a donation of £1,397 to the NI Cancer Fund for Children. The impressive total was raised at our annual Golf Day at Lough Erne Resort in May.
Thank you to all the wonderful members who contributed prizes to the ballot draw and to everyone who generously supported the collection.
MARINE HOTEL BALLYCASTLE
Rewarding the best receptionists.
RECEPTIONIST WINNERS
ARMAGH CITY HOTEL HOSTS AWARDS DINNER
The winners of the 2026 NIHF Receptionist Awards have been revealed, celebrating front-ofhouse team members whose skill, adaptability and professionalism play a vital role in delivering outstanding guest experiences across Northern Ireland’s hotels.
After months of deliberation, the awards were announced by compere Pamela Ballantine at a glittering ceremony on 13th May 2026 at the Armagh City Hotel.
The competition continues to attract a remarkable number of entries and this year marks the 20th staging of the awards, reflecting the strength and depth of talent within the sector.
The Team Category winner was selected through an independent mystery shopping assessment carried out by Insight6. Those competing for the Receptionist of the Year titles undertook a series of practical challenges organised by Life Adventure Company, together
with an industry knowledge test and formal interview process.
The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the Year’, supported by Net Affinity, was Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry-Londonderry. Dunluce Lodge in Portrush was awarded second place, with Corick House Hotel & Spa in County Tyrone taking third place.
In the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category, supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Thomas KeeleyHenderson from the Stormont Hotel in Belfast was named winner. Fiachra Doyle from the Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa in Newcastle was runner-up, with Samantha Forsythe from Crowne Plaza Belfast in third place.
The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award, supported by Access Hospitality, was presented to Tracey Forbes from The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine. Kristen McFeely from the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry-Londonderry was runner-up, with Clare Sweeney
from Bishop’s Gate Hotel in DerryLondonderry taking third place.
NIHF President Vicky Green congratulated all the winners and finalists:
“Reaching the final of the NIHF Receptionist Awards is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and skill demonstrated by all participants throughout a rigorous process.
“Hotels are, and always will be, a people business, and reception teams play a vital role in shaping the guest experience. We are grateful to our sponsors and partners for their continued support, including Tourism Northern Ireland, Access Hospitality, Net Affinity, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Life Adventure Company and Insight6. We also thank the Armagh City Hotel for hosting the awards dinner and the Clayton Hotel for the assessment day.”
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MEMBER LUNCH
THE LAUNCH OF HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE TOOK PLACE ON 4TH JUNE
Hospitality Exchange 2026 will return to the Crowne Plaza Belfast on 13–14 October 2026, bringing together hospitality, tourism and business leaders for two days of insight, inspiration and networking.
The event was officially launched at a special member lunch in the Crowne Plaza.
Headline speakers announced so far include AI visibility expert Adam Hamadache on the impact of AI on business visibility; travel journalist Pól Ó Conghaile, exploring the role of standout service and the human touch in hospitality; and leadership expert Dr Paul Redmond, discussing leadership in an AI-driven world.
Commenting on the launch, NIHF President Vicky Green said:
“Hospitality Exchange has become an important platform for bringing the industry together to share ideas, tackle challenges and shape future opportunities for hospitality and tourism in Northern Ireland.
“As businesses navigate economic pressures, evolving technologies and changing consumer expectations, this year’s programme will provide practical insight, inspiration and meaningful discussion to support growth and resilience across the sector.”
The full conference programme will be announced in early September.
Joanne Neale, room2; Damien Davis and Eoin Geraghty, Excel Recruitment; Emma Lyttle room2.
Richard McKeown, Alliance; PJ Deery, Musgrave; Michael Burke, Burke Systems and Solutions; Derek McGeehan, Brother Ireland DAC.
Paulina Malik and Lisa Buttle, Journey.
Rajesh Rana, Andras House; Jacqueline Reid, Agilysys; Mark Green, Stephens Catering Equipment.
Supporting Hotels, Tourism and Leisure Businesses
Specialising in Hotels, Tourism and Leisure, we provide practical, tailored advice and a full range of services designed around the needs of your business – whether its audit services, tax advice, commercial and operating guidance or planning investment or an exit, Sumer NI are your trusted advisors helping hospitality businesses grow with confidence.
Partner with Sumer NI today
REVAL 2026
NIHF CONTINUES ENGAGEMENT ON RATES REVALUATION AS OMNIPLEX JUDICIAL REVIEW PROCEEDS
The Federation continues to engage with Land & Property Services (LPS) regarding the future of Reval2026 and the development of a fair and sustainable rates system for the hospitality sector.
In a significant development, Omniplex has secured permission to proceed with a full judicial review of the decision to pause the business rates revaluation. The case, which is due to be heard in November, centres on the decision taken in January 2026 to halt the implementation of the new valuation list. Omniplex is seeking to have the revaluation reinstated, arguing that the pause deprived the company of substantial rates savings.
The NIHF, alongside the wider hospitality and tourism industry,
previously raised serious concerns about the Reval2026 proposals. Hotels were facing an average increase of 63% in Net Annual Value (NAV) compared with Reval2023, in addition to the removal of COVIDrelated rates reliefs. Concerns were compounded by the late publication of valuations on 22 January 2026, leaving businesses with limited time to assess the impact, seek professional advice and prepare for revised rates bills due from April.
The Federation has also consistently highlighted concerns with the valuation methodology itself. The current model places significant emphasis on turnover while failing to adequately reflect rising operating costs, including wage inflation, energy prices, food and beverage costs, insurance premiums and
AVIATION POLICY
NITA CALLS FOR MORE AVIATION SUPPORT
Access and Connectivity are among the key priorities in the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance’s new 2026–2029 strategy, which will be launched on 25th June 2026 at Titanic Belfast.
Interim Chief Executive Brona Moffett said improving access is essential if Northern Ireland is to achieve the ambitions set out in the 10-Year Tourism Vision and Action Plan. NITA will continue working with members across the road, rail, sea and air sectors to advocate for policies that strengthen connectivity and support tourism growth.
This includes calls to remove Air Passenger Duty (APD), which
remains in place in Northern Ireland despite being abolished in the Republic of Ireland. NITA argues that APD places Northern Ireland’s airports at a competitive disadvantage and limits growth opportunities.
The Alliance is also seeking the return of duty-free shopping at Northern Ireland airports. Following Brexit and the Windsor Framework, duty-free sales have been restricted, reducing both the passenger experience and an estimated £5 million annual contribution to the local economy.
NITA has further highlighted the need for strategic route
debt servicing. There are also concerns that investment in quality improvements, sustainability measures and enhanced visitor experiences can lead to higher valuations, regardless of profitability.
These issues are particularly significant given that Northern Ireland’s hotel industry has invested approximately £500 million since the pandemic in new developments, refurbishments and upgrades.
The NIHF continues to liaise closely with LPS on the sector’s position and remains committed to securing a valuation system that is fair, transparent and reflective of the economic realities facing hospitality businesses, while supporting investment, competitiveness and long-term tourism growth.
development, particularly additional North American connections, while protecting existing services that are vital for tourism, business and regional connectivity. The organisation is also advocating support for aviation decarbonisation through alternative fuels and greener surface transport solutions.
NITA now looks forward to the publication of the Aviation Policy Consultation outcomes and the introduction of Northern Ireland’s first Aviation Policy.
BRONA MOFFETT
NITA
Richard McKeown
TOURISM NI UPDATES
TOURISM NI TARGETS COST SAVINGS
In today’s challenging operating environment, tourism and hospitality businesses across Northern Ireland are continuing to look for practical ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency and build long-term resilience. Tourism NI offers a wide range of supports, guidance and tools designed to help businesses strengthen operational performance while identifying new opportunities for growth.
A key focus area is helping businesses improve operational effectiveness. Through tourismni. com, businesses can access practical advice on pricing, cost
management, sustainability, staffing and business planning.
Sustainability and energy efficiency continue to be major priorities for the sector, particularly as businesses face rising utility and operational costs. Through the Leaner and Greener series of guides and e-learning modules available on MyTourismNI.com, Tourism NI offers advice on conserving energy, reducing emissions and lowering operating expenses.
By engaging with the range of programmes, resources and practical tools available, tourism and hospitality businesses can
DRIVING DEMAND: SUMMER MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Tourism NI’s Marketing campaigns drive demand to the nearly 6000 tourism businesses across Northern Ireland. Our Summer Marketing activity will run from 1st-30th June across the island of Ireland and will aim to drive demand for short breaks. The activity will showcase the ease, value and quality of experiences available locally, encouraging visitors to choose
Northern Ireland for spontaneous trips and planned escapes this summer.
What this means for your business:
• Increased visibility through a coordinated, multi-channel campaign
• Opportunities to attract new and returning visitors
• A platform for industry offers,
FLEADH CHEOIL NA HÉIREANN 2026 - HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from 2nd-9th August, one of the biggest celebrations of traditional Irish music, culture and community anywhere in the world. It’s also a giant opportunity for your business to be part of it.
The week-long event will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Belfast and across Northern Ireland for a packed programme of concerts, competitions, sessions and cultural events.
Visitors will include families, couples, music enthusiasts and performers from across Ireland and around the world, all drawn by the Fleadh’s welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community. There’s real opportunity for businesses and organisations to get involved. From creating a Giant welcome to encouraging visitors to explore beyond Belfast.
Find out more about who’s coming and play your part at tourismni. com/fleadh2026.
improve operational performance, manage costs more effectively and position themselves for future growth and opportunity.
Find out more at tourismni.com/ costsaving
experiences and value-added propositions
• Stronger demand across a range of visitor types, budgets and travel styles
Find out more at tourismni.com/ marketingcampaign
FEDERATION GOLF DAY
WINNING TEAM.
» The winning team in the Texas Scramble competition was Bank of Ireland. 2nd went to Bishop’s Gate Hotel and 3rd team was Coca-Cola HBC 1.
The event was held at the Lough Erne Resort and was well supported by trade and hotel members.
Members kindly donated 19 superb ballot prizes in aid of the Cancer Fund for Children and a fantastic £1,397 was raised for this worthwhile cause.
Coca-Cola HBC - 3rd Team
Bishop’s Gate - 2nd Team
Johnsons Belfast
Henderson Foodservice
Foot Anstey McKees
Maldron Belfast City
Bank of Ireland - Winning Team
Webb Wonders
Musings from the Federation’s Economic Advisor
PLACES NEED MORE THAN INFRASTRUCTURE
I have just returned from UKREiiF in Leeds (the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum), where the language of place competitiveness was everywhere. For a few days, the city was full of investors, developers, councils, government agencies, infrastructure bodies and advisers, all talking about how to make places more investable. Housing, regeneration, transport, energy, planning, net zero, skills and finance were all part of the conversation. That is as it should be. These are the foundations of economic development. But walking between meetings and events, I kept coming back to a simpler point. Places are not experienced through prospectuses or policy documents. They are experienced through arrival points, streets, hotels, restaurants, cafés, pubs, venues, public spaces and the confidence that there is something worth staying for.
That matters for Northern Ireland, and it matters for our hotel sector. Hotels are too often treated as an outcome of economic growth. A place becomes successful, visitor numbers increase, and the hotel market responds. There is truth in that, but it is only part of the story. Hotels are also part of the infrastructure that enables places to grow.
A strong hotel sector supports conferences, business travel, inward investment visits, sporting events, cultural tourism, city breaks,
weddings, festivals and the evening economy. It allows investors to visit, workers to relocate, visitors to stay longer and events to scale. In practical terms, it gives a place the capacity to host opportunity. That is why hotels and hospitality should be seen as a core part of the economic development system, not as peripheral.
The mood at UKREiiF also confirmed how fierce competition between places has become. Every city and region wants capital. Every place wants housing investment, infrastructure funding, new employers, better skills, more visitors and stronger town and city centres. The language may be collaborative, but the reality is competitive. In that environment, the visitor economy is part of the proposition.
This is where the VAT debate deserves to be reframed. The case for reducing VAT on hospitality is often presented as a sectoral ask: businesses are under pressure and need relief. That pressure is real. But the stronger argument is that VAT on hospitality is a place competitiveness issue. If government wants stronger city centres, better regional tourism, more conferences, higher visitor spend and greater private investment, then the tax environment facing hotels and hospitality matters.
A reduced VAT rate would not solve every problem. It would not
remove energy costs, fix planning, build skills pipelines or address infrastructure deficits. But it would improve the economics of trading, pricing and reinvestment in a sector that is central to how places compete.
For Northern Ireland, this matters enormously. We are a relatively small market competing for visitors, events, talent and investment. We have outstanding assets, but also obvious constraints around access, seasonality, infrastructure, costs and scale. A hotel that cannot reinvest does not only affect that hotel, it affects the quality of the destination. It affects the conference market, the visitor offer, the evening economy and the impression we give to people deciding whether to visit, invest or return.
My reflection from UKREiiF is that the importance of place is clearly understood. But if we are serious about place, we need to be serious about the sectors that make places work. Hotels are part of that system. Hospitality is part of that system. The visitor economy is part of that system.
So perhaps the question is not simply whether government can afford to cut VAT on hospitality. It is whether places like Northern Ireland can afford to keep taxing one of their most important competitiveness assets.
ANDREW WEBB ON VAT, HOSPITALITY AND THE COMPETITIVENESS CHALLENGE
Ariane Crockery Chosen by The Merchant Hotel
Presentation plays a vital role in creating memorable dining experiences. That’s why Bunzl McLaughlin is proud to have supplied Ariane’s Freckles and Point crockery collections to The Merchant Hotel, Belfast.
Combining contemporary design with exceptional durability, Ariane crockery helps showcase every dish while meeting the demands of a busy hospitality environment.
Bunzl McLaughlin, supplying hospitality excellence across Ireland.
Business Outlook Seminar
CLANDEBOYE LODgE HOTEL
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, Alkimii, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
SLOW DOWN, FEEL MORE
As the tourism industry in Northern Ireland enters another busy summer season, at Tourism Ireland we’re encouraging visitors to enjoy journeying around Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland at a slower pace through our new ‘Ireland Unrushed’ global campaign.
Now in its second year, ‘Ireland Unrushed’ builds on the success of last year’s campaign and will achieve reach of over 100 million through publicity and advertising. The campaign was live for the month of May across 15 key overseas markets, on leading video platforms, social and digital channels. Two new videos highlighting stand-out locations in Northern Ireland – ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ video featuring Fermanagh and ‘From Coast to Peaks’ video spotlighting Strangford and The Mournes – add to last year’s promotion of the Causeway Coastal Route. From breathtaking landscapes and ‘slow tourism’ activities – such as travelling along inland waterways by boat, cycling, walking and experiencing locally grown produce on a coastal food tour – viewers are being inspired to
put Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland on their ‘must-visit’ list.
The campaign is all about positioning Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland as the perfect place to create deeper connections with people and place, at a slower pace. We’re targeting visitors who are seeking a sense of exploration on their trips, by showcasing enjoyable journeys and highlighting experiences in nature and in local communities.
Inspiring overseas visitors to choose Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland is our role but the experience and memories they take home are shaped by our local tourism businesses – and our hotel providers are at the heart of that experience. Every day you are welcoming guests, from independent travellers to group tours and business travellers, and demonstrating the outstanding hospitality that we are known for right across the world. The quality of service you provide – from first impressions at check-in to thoughtful local recommendations and memorable dining experiences
– plays a vital role in how Northern Ireland is perceived on the international stage. Overseas tourism contributed over £636 million to the economy in Northern Ireland in 2025 and around 10% of jobs are supported by tourism and hospitality. Each month this summer, there are 3 million seats on planes scheduled to fly to the island of Ireland – 500K of those seats fly direct to Northern Ireland. Given the current macroeconomic uncertainty, we are committed to generating demand for travel to fill those planes with overseas visitors – keeping businesses and communities strong, sustaining our all-important air routes and helping visitors to enjoy what Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland has to offer.
ALICE MANSERGH CEO, Tourism Ireland
ALICE MANSERGH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF TOURISM IRELAND, ON NEW GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE
WHAT WORKFORCE DATA TELLS US ABOUT IRISH HOSPITALITY
There’s a question I get asked constantly: “How do we actually know what good looks like?” It’s a fair one. Hotels have benchmarked revenue and cost of sales for decades. Rate, occupancy, RevPAR, GP% by outlet, all tracked obsessively, shared across the industry, and used to drive real decisions. But labour? The single largest cost on almost every P&L, and the biggest driver of guest experience? For most hotels, it’s still largely benchmarked against gut instinct.
That’s what makes the data we’ve been building at Alkimii so compelling. As the largest Irish hotel workforce database, Alkimii captures years of real operational data from hotels across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here is some of what it shows.
The turnover gap nobody talks about
Across the Republic of Ireland, annual employee turnover closed 2025 at 60.4%. In Galway, it hit nearly 87%. Northern Ireland sat at 37.9%, a full 22 percentage points below the ROI average, and lower than every individual ROI region. Looking back across 2022 to 2025, the gap has held consistently. It is structural, not a one-year blip.
Into 2026, NI sits at 70.9% year to date, against 74% for ROI. The NI workforce starts the year more settled than anywhere else in the dataset.
Labour cost: the other side of the ledger
Lower turnover in NI does not automatically translate to lower
labour cost as a proportion of revenue. NI closed 2025 at a pay percentage of 38.9%, sitting 2.7 points above the ROI average of 36.2%.
The early 2026 data suggests this gap is beginning to narrow, which is a meaningful signal for NI operators managing tighter revenue bases.
Tenure: the metric that compounds quietly
NI has roughly 90 more service days per FTE per year than Dublin. F&B managers in NI average 6 years and 10 months of service, compared to 5 years and 4 months Ireland-wide.
Every additional year of service means lower recruitment costs, faster guest service recovery, and a stronger internal bench for promotion. This is operational resilience you can trace directly to the guest experience.
Absenteeism: NI’s biggest improvement
In 2022, Ni’s absenteeism rate was 4.33% of scheduled shifts. By 2025, it had fallen to 2.57%, a reduction of 42% in three years and the fastest convergence of any market in the dataset.
The one outlier worth flagging is Belfast, which at 3.30% sits above both the NI average and the broader Ireland figure.
What benchmarking makes possible
The value of data like this is not in the headline numbers. It is in the questions it generates. Why does
NI retain employees so much more effectively than ROI? Why is Belfast diverging on absenteeism?
Without comp sets built from properties that actually resemble yours, these questions never get asked.
What you measure, you manage. What you benchmark, you improve.
About Alkimii
Alkimii is a workforce and property operations management platform built specifically for hotels. Its three core products work together as a single system.
Alkimii People handles workforce management, from scheduling and payroll to HR and compliance; Alkimii Property simplifies day-today operations across your sites; and Alkimii Insights delivers the benchmarking and analytics that help hotels understand exactly how they are performing against their peers.
The data in this article is drawn from Alkimii Insights. Find out more at www.alkimii.com.
KATE MOYNIHAN Director or Growth, Alkimii
LICENSING UPDATE
IS YOUR HOTEL READY FOR THE SUMMER?
Momentum is continuing to build ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which will take place in Belfast, a UNESCO City of Music, from 2–9 August 2026. Visitor estimates suggest the event could attract up to 800,000 people to the city across the week.
Building on Belfast’s rich musical heritage and growing international reputation for live music and cultural events, the Fleadh will showcase the very best of traditional Irish music while bringing a major economic and cultural boost to the city. The event follows directly after Belfast TradFest, creating an extended celebration of music, culture and tourism across the region.
Hotels will have a major role to play in the successful delivery of this major event and should consider checking:
1. Do you have and display a hotel certificate from Tourism Northern Ireland. These have a 4 year validity period.
2. With reference to the licensing plans relating to the premises (which are an integral part of the liquor licence), check you have not carried out any changes to the layout of the premises that would have required Building Control approval since the liquor licence was granted or since the last Court consent to any change was approved without prior consent of the Court.
3. Valid Fire Risk Assessment
4. Valid Entertainment licence (if applicable)
5. Check that you are displaying any requisite legal notices relating to sale of alcohol
6. Check staff training on sale of alcohol is up to date on issues like age challenge policy and the Ask for Angela campaign as well as children. A distinct position applies to children who are resident in the hotel. A resident is defined as someone who, “has lodged in the hotel for the preceding night or has in writing engaged a room for the succeeding night”. Children may be present throughout a hotel as part of their occupation of it as residents, including circulation and movement through areas that would otherwise be restricted. There is therefore no restriction on a resident child being present at a bar area however, the absolute prohibition on the sale of alcohol to them of course remains. It is therefore lawful for a resident child to purchase soft drinks or food or other nonalcohol items from a hotel bar area, but a non-resident child would not be able to do so.
In addition to the general terms above;
• Check you have the most recent court approved licence showing that all relevant areas are licensed for sale and consumption of alcohol. Also, if applicable, what areas are subject to a late hour’s licence and/or a function extension permitting sale of alcohol until 1.00am. If you cannot locate
your plans, Foot Anstey McKee can obtain a copy from the relevant court for you.
• If you have a café pavement licence check that it is valid and up to date.
• If you are considering applying for temporary additional licensed areas for the Fleadh via an “occasional licence” as many licensees are doing it is essential that you design the proposed area as a fully enclosed space capable of being properly controlled and managed for the event. Any such application needs to be processed as soon as possible
Foot Anstey McKees Hospitality Team
Andrea McCann andrea.mccann@mckees-law.com
Linus Murray linus.murray@mckees-law.com
Richard McLaughlin richard.mclaughlin@mckees-law.com
RICHARD MCLAUGHLIN Foot Anstey McKees
FOOD AWARDS
BBC FOOD & FARMING AWARDS COME TO NORTHERN
IRELAND
Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector will take centre stage this autumn as the BBC Food & Farming Awards are hosted here for the first time. The 2026 awards ceremony will be held at Titanic Belfast in October, celebrating the people and businesses that contribute to the region’s thriving food and farming industry.
A new BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award will also celebrate outstanding individuals and projects from across Northern Ireland. The awards provide an important opportunity to showcase local talent and highlight the growing role of food tourism in enhancing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a leading visitor destination.
NISRA FIGURES PUBLISHED
TOURISM GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS SECTOR’S ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
Northern Ireland’s hotel industry has welcomed the latest tourism figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), although the sector has noted that, in tourism terms, the figures already reflect a very different trading environment from the one currently facing many hospitality businesses.
Northern Ireland’s tourism sector delivered strong growth in 2025, with 5.1 million overnight trips
generating £1.2 billion in visitor spending, both up 9% on the previous year. Holiday travel accounted for more than half of all overnight stays, while visitors from outside Northern Ireland represented two-thirds of all trips, including a 15% increase from the Republic of Ireland market.
Day visitors also contributed significantly, with 17.9 million trips generating a further £1.2 billion in spending. Combined visitor
expenditure reached £2.4 billion, underlining tourism’s importance to hotels, restaurants, attractions and local economies.
The figures reflect a period of strong demand and continued investment in tourism infrastructure, particularly in Belfast and the North Coast. However, they also highlight the need to maintain momentum as hospitality businesses face an increasingly challenging operating environment.
10 MILLION VISITORS
TITANIC BELFAST CELEBRATED MILESTONE
Titanic Belfast has reached a major milestone, welcoming its 10 millionth visitor since the world-leading visitor attraction first opened its doors in 2012.
Brianna Hubbert, along with her husband Matt, who travelled from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, were given a VIP welcome by staff at Titanic Belfast to celebrate this historic occasion.
Titanic Belfast officially opened to the public on 31st March 2012 to mark the centenary of RMS Titanic. Since then, it has firmly established itself as a must-see attraction on the local, national and international stage.
13TH & 14TH OCTOBER 2026 - CROwNE PLAzA BELFAST
FEATURINg
DR PAUL REDMOND
Dr Paul Redmond will take part in Beyond the Booking, an engaging seminar focusing on leadership, service culture and navigating change in a rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.
CONFERENCE THEMES
Costs & Crisis: Navigating Financial Pressures
How hotels are responding to rising costs, improving efficiency and building resilience in a challenging business environment.
Technology, Talent & the Human Touch
How hospitality leaders can harness technology and AI while keeping people, culture and guest experience at the heart of their business.
Data & Detail: Turning Insight into Advantage
How data and market intelligence can help businesses make better decisions, manage risk and stay ahead of changing trends.
Also at Hospitality Exchange this October: Rising Stars, STR Update, Talking Tourism and much more...
