February 2025 A Hatrick for Hastings Hotels


THE Culloden Estate & Spa, Grand Central Hotel and Europa Hotel have each picked up a Merit Award at the CIE Tours International Awards of Excellence which took place in Dublin. Now in its 33rd year and organised by


CIE Tours, the largest operator of guided tours to Ireland in the North American market, the awards are based on post- stay feedback and recognise Ireland’s hospitality ambassadors,


the people


and businesses who put the Irish tourism industry on the global stage through the warmth of welcome and quality of service provided to international visitors. The winners have all delivered an exceptional quality experience


welcome to visitors, achieving a customer satisfaction rating of over 95.4% – an increase in the scores achieved across the board from previous years


Discover Royal Hillsborough & Historic Moira This Year and


eateries – as an essential part of the Belfast visitor experience, an important part of Brand Belfast and a vital


ingredient to


attracting and retaining visitors to Belfast to enjoy more, explore more and stay longer. Welcoming


the


VISIT Belfast has officially unveiled its new food and drink brand position, designed to enhance the city’s vibrant gastronomic tourism offering to appeal to more visitors. The launch event, held at the award- winning Waterman restaurant in Belfast, brought together over 50 representatives from the local food and drink industry to demonstrate how the new brand and strategy will showcase Belfast’s rich and diverse food scene, from restaurants and food markets to distillery tours and exciting tasting experiences. The new brand positioning will support


Visit Belfast in its mission to drive tourism spend which is a key theme in Visit Belfast’s New Horizon Strategy 2024-2027. The strategy aims to differentiate Belfast


as a premier culinary destination, leveraging the city’s unique flavours and gastronomic offerings – including two Michelin-starred restaurants, awards,


numerous and a wealth


PLANNING your next weekend getaway? Seeking new places to explore? Look no further than the charming rural villages of Royal Hillsborough and Historic Moira in Northern Ireland for your next ad- venture. Nestled along the route to Belfast City,


these two picturesque villages are steeped in history and brimming with attractions. From award-winning dining and artisan producers to a variety of accommodation options, there’s something for everyone. Add to those unique


experiences like


go-karting, historic trails, gin crafting, and whiskey tasting, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable trip. Conveniently located less than 30 minutes


from Belfast and just under two hours from Dublin City Centre, Royal Hillsborough and Historic Moira are perfectly positioned for a quick escape, a staycation, or a refresh- ing stop on your journey. Situated right on the main travel routes between Belfast and Dublin,


these charming destinations are


easily accessible and ideal for a weekend getaway or a fun-filled day trip with family and friends. Whether you're looking for a scenic retreat, a taste of history and cul- ture, or a vibrant food and shopping scene, Royal Hillsborough and Historic Moira are right on your door- step - ready to be ex- plored. STAY: Choose from cozy self-catering cottages ous


to luxuri- country homes,


perfect for indulgent escapes, hidden re- treats, or simply re- charging during your travels. TASTE:


Treat your


palate to the flavours of Royal


Hillsbor-


ough and Moira’s award-winning dining


scene. Many restaurants feature seasonal menus crafted with locally sourced ingre- dients. Meanwhile, local pubs and bars showcase their expertise with their own craft beers, gins, and vodkas. EXPLORE: Nature lovers and adven-


ture seekers alike will find plenty to enjoy. Discover serene forest walks or get your adrenaline pumping with thrilling outdoor activities. PRODUCERS: Food enthusiasts will de-


light in sampling Northern Ireland’s finest homegrown produce. Local artisans have harnessed their surroundings to create ex- ceptional food and drink products that re- flect the region’s unique character. CREATE YOUR PERFECT ITINERARY: To make planning easy, Lisburn & Cas-


tlereagh City Council has curated a se- lection of bespoke itineraries tailored to inspire your next day trip, staycation, or weekend escape. Visit their user-friendly website to start


crafting your ideal getaway: https://www. visitlisburncastlereagh.com/royal-hillsbor- ough-and-historic-moira Make this year unforgettable with a trip


to Royal Hillsborough and Historic Moira – where history, flavour, and adventure come together!


Bib of


Gourmand independent


initiative, Councillor


Micky Murray, Lord Mayor of Belfast, said: “Food and drink experiences are a vital


ingredient in attracting visitors to our city – for business events, leisure experiences and events and festivals. On average, food and drink accounts for approximately 35% of total visitor expenditure and supports over 19,000 jobs in the tourism sector. Visitors who are motivated by food tend to stay longer and spend more, enriching both our economy and our community. ‘By celebrating the richness of our produce, we are enhancing


local


gastronomic identity and positioning Belfast as a premier destination for food and drink throughout the UK and Ireland.’ The strategy’s launch marks an exciting


new chapter in Belfast’s tourism, elevating the city’s reputation as a culinary destination that offers diverse and exceptional food experiences. As the new branding begins to roll out across Visit Belfast’s marketing campaigns, the ambition will be to share the true flavours of Belfast with visitors from around the world.


www.nitravelnews.com


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 53


Visit Belfast Unveils Powerful New Brand Position for City’s Rich Food and Drink Offer


our


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64