22 NORTHERN IRELAND Ashford Castle Opens Its Doors


Following Lockdown IRELAND’S most historic five-star hotel opened its doors today for the first time in fourteen weeks. Ashford Castle’s General Manager, Niall Rochford


was on hand to welcome the first guests to Ashford Castle following its fourteen week closure due to the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Niall confirmed that despite some health & safety adaptations, guests will still enjoy the same luxury break for which Ashford Castle is renowned including: l The famous Ashford Castle breakfast that


includes freshly cooked ham on the bone served straight from the carving trolley.


The grounds and gardens – more than 350 acres of woodland, walled gardens and outdoor space to explore and enjoy. l


The outdoor activities including kayaking,


golf, zip-lining, horse-riding, fishing and falconry at Ireland’s oldest school of falconry. l Ashford Castle’s private cinema with twice daily screenings, which can now be booked by guests for private viewings at this time. l Cronan & Garvan – a visit to Ashford Castle would not be complete without meeting the estate’s most famous resident guests, the Irish wolfhounds that accompany guests on their morning walk. l


whom have worked at Ashford Castle for more than 25 years and help create the relaxed atmosphere that all guests enjoy during their visit.


‘We’re Good to Go’ Rolls Out


Across the Tourism Sector TOURISM NI recently partnered with the national tourism bodies of England, Scotland and Wales to roll out a new UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide reassurance to businesses, customers and communities that safe working guidelines in relation to COVID-19 have been adopted. Over 400 business have signed up to date and, with the tourism and hospitality sector re-opening over the weekend, Tourism NI’s Chief Executive John McGrillen has paid a visit to the Clayton Hotel Belfast, Culloden Hotel and Brunel’s restaurant in Newcastle who were among some of the first businesses to register.


‘We’re Good To Go’ is a free scheme that allows businesses to sign-up and commit to implementing the relevant Government and public health guidance, including undertaking a COVID-19 risk assessment. Businesses can in turn use the licensed mark as part of their communications.


To obtain the mark businesses must complete the registration process through the ‘We’re Good to Go’ online platform goodtogoni.com and will go through a number of steps to verify they have put the necessary processes in place to re-open safely. Accommodation, visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs, business conference and events venues and tour and coach operators are currently eligible to apply.


‘Legendary’ Hotspot for Foodies


AS COUNTRIES across Ireland make a bid for the staycation market, one district council is making a play for the foodie traveller by cementing its position as one of Ireland’s food and drink hotspots.


Coinciding with the reopening of Ireland’s hospitality sector, Derry City and Strabane District Council, in collaboration with the local food & drink network, have unveiled its new regional Food & Drink Brand – LegenDerry – with the help of a local poet and familiar faces from the region’s food, drink and hospitality sectors.


‘A Taste of LegenDerry’, written by local poet Pamela Brown, was commissioned to celebrate the unique food and drink offering as well as the rich culture and heritage visitors to the region can expect to experience. 22 members of the local Food Network feature in the short motion picture by local videographer Gary McFeely, reciting the poem, which showcases some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Peace Bridge, GuildHall and the Walled City Brewery as a suitably cultural backdrop.


The LegenDerry Food and Drink Brand is the result of the region’s Food and Drink Strategy, which was launched in February 2019 by the Council as part of its wider plan to drive tourism and firmly place the region on the map as the number one food destination on the island of Ireland by 2025.


Part funded by the Seafood Innovation Programme – Smart Atlantic Seafood Cluster known as the ‘SAFER’ project, applications opened this year for local restaurateurs, hoteliers and food and drink producers to become an accredited member of the brand. The Council received an overwhelming response and in February over 45 providers received an official accreditation. As a certified LegenDerry provider, businesses are showcased on a newly launched website and receive a suite of marketing material to signpost their venues or produce with the LegenDerry stamp of approval.


August 2020 Travel News


EMBRACE NORTHERN IRELAND’S GIANT STAYCATION SPIRIT!


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The Wine Cellars – private wine tastings and private dining set amongst the castle’s secret passageways. l The warm welcome from the team, many of


EOPLE across Northern Ireland are being urged to get behind and be part of a campaign aimed at enjoying a short break at home across the summer and into the autumn.


Tourism NI has launched its Recovery Marketing Campaign in Northern Ireland as it seeks to inspire people to enjoy a staycation at home, in a destination which attracts tourists from around the globe each year.


The campaign will remind people that you can have epic fun without the epic trek with so much to discover afresh locally. From the vibrant city buzz of Belfast and Derry~Londonderry to the stunning beauty of the Glens of Antrim and the North Coast to the Orchards of Armagh, the Lakes of Fermanagh and the rugged scenery of Tyrone, local ‘visitors’ are invited to embrace Northern Ireland’s giant spirit. With a strong emphasis on supporting Northern Ireland’s


tourism industry, Tourism NI has continued its partnership with the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation on a cooperative marketing fund and increased support to 75% of costs. The application process has been extended until the end of July to encourage businesses to join the campaign and market directly to potential ‘staycationers’ most inclined to travel in the short to medium term.


Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen said: “We are encouraging local people to see Northern Ireland through the eyes of the millions of tourists who come here for the warmth of the welcome, world class food and drink, the beauty of the landscapes and the immersive experiences on offer. “The tourism industry has suffered greatly from the effects of the lockdown and as we move into a period of recovery we are sending a very clear message that your favourite places, as well as those yet to be discovered, will benefit greatly from your support. “The recovery campaign takes account of the fact that it will take time for our tourism sector to fully re-open. Our consumer research has also informed the tactics we will use, and when we will use them, to create the best prospects for immediate bookings. We will be rolling out a mix of digital, outdoor, radio, press and television advertising alongside PR and media visits starting now and running into the autumn.


“The next 6 months provides the perfect opportunity to explore all that is great about Northern Ireland. You can stay local while getting away from it all on new, immersive adventures and in doing so you will be supporting an industry that is vital to our economy and to everyone here.” Considerable work has gone in to ensuring the safety of guests with new measures introduced so that the one-metre social distancing protocols can be observed without reducing the overall experience. New guidance from Tourism NI and the Department for the Economy on re-opening safely was released last week. Tourism NI has also partnered with national tourist boards across the UK to implement a new industry standard and consumer mark, We’re Good to Go, to reassure customers that businesses have adopted the guidance.


Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Hails VAT Reduction as “Huge Relief” for Industry


THE Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) has hailed the package of measures announced by the Chancellor as a “huge relief” for the hospitality industry who were “hit first and hardest” by the Covid-19 lockdown. Dr Joanne Stuart, Chief Executive of NITA said: “We welcome the package of measures announced by the Chancellor in his Summer statement to support the Tourism industry, which is one of the key economic drivers in Northern Ireland and across the UK. This comes as a huge relief to tourism businesses who were hit first and hardest by the economic impact of Covid-19 and four months on are now starting on the road to recovery.


“The temporary reduction on VAT to 5% is something that the industry has long campaigned for and will address the competitive disadvantage we have faced sharing a land border with the Republic of Ireland who have a VAT rate of 13.5%,” she continued. “The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ initiative will help to stimulate


demand in August for our businesses serving food, giving people a 50% discount (up to £10) on their meal. A great opportunity for the public to get out and enjoy our delicious local produce and our amazing chefs. “It is critical to the survival of tourism businesses over the winter period that the industry is able to maximise the rest of the 2020 season and these measures alongside campaigns that reassure and encourage our local residents to support the local tourism industry by having a staycation and attract visitors from the RoI and GB to holiday in Northern Ireland will give tourism businesses a fighting chance.


“To build on the packages announced today, we are urging the NI Executive to provide clarity on border controls in Northern Ireland and follow the approaches by England and Scotland. This is critical to rebuilding NI as a destination for European and International travellers and is essential if we are to rebuild the tourism industry and protect jobs.


“Our industry, with government guidance, has invested heavily to ensure a safe but welcoming experience and destination. Working tirelessly across all sectors from hospitality, hotels, attractions, activities, coach, ferries, airlines, airports. Our message is come to Northern Ireland, we offer great value for money, a safe environment and an authentic experience,” she added.


The Global Safety Stamp is designed so holidaymakers can enjoy peace of mind


Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort Among UK’s First Hotels to Secure New AA COVID Confident Mark


GALGORM Spa & Golf Resort has become one of the UK’s first hospitality businesses to secure the new AA COVID Confident Mark for its health and safety commitment ahead of reopening on Friday 24th July. The UK-wide accreditation certifies Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort as having all the necessary assessments, safety measures and staff training in place to reopen safely and in line with all official guidelines.


Backed by all the UK’s top industry bodies, the scheme is designed to support the hospitality industry in reassuring consumers as restrictions ease.


Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, which is the only independent hotel in Northern Ireland to make the AA grade, recently published its own full safety guidelines and hygiene commitment. The Resort is also in the process of obtaining Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ consumer safety standard, which is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.


Colin Johnston, Galgorm Collection Managing Director, said: “We’re looking forward to safely


reopening on 24th July with all the approvals in place to ensure the health and safety of our team and guests. Last month, Galgorm published in full its hygiene commitment and reopening policy which has been accompanied with a walk- through video advising guests of what to expect when they arrive. From luxury accommodation, to famous golfing greens, a world-renowned spa offering, lively traditional Irish bar and an award-winning fine dining restaurant, our guests will enjoy the same fantastic experience the Resort is known for, albeit with additional safety measures in place. The AA’s new COVID Confident assessment scheme is a fantastic way for us to achieve external verification that the measures we have adopted are best practice and reassures guests and visitors that the Resort is safe to visit.” The COVID Confident Mark is the latest AA accreditation to be awarded to Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, alongside its 4 Red Star Inspector’s Choice Award for the Resort’s high quality and customer service standards as well as its 3-Rosette Award for culinary excellence at the Resort’s premier restaurant, the River Room.


Belfast Zoo Reopens to the Public with New Health and Safety Measures in Place


BELFAST Zoo has reopened to the public with a number of new safety measures in place on site to keep visitors, staff and animals safe. Tickets must be pre-booked in advance via a telephone booking system.


Members of the public are being reminded


that their visitor experience will be different than before as most of the indoor animal houses will be closed initially; however this decision will remain under review.


Zoo manager Alyn Cairns said: “While the experience will be a bit different for visitors, we are confident that there will still be plenty for people to see on their outdoor trek of the zoo – including the zoo’s newest residents born during lockdown. Among them is Ronan, an endangered Rothschild’s giraffe calf, a Southern pudu and two Scottish wildcat kittens.” He added: “Although the zoo has been closed


to the public, it has been business as usual for the animal welfare team who have been working round the clock to care for the animals and get ready for the zoo to welcome back visitors in a safe way. We are delighted to be able to open our gates again and would ask the public to please show patience and understanding when booking


TOURISM NI’s Chief Executive John McGrillen


welcomed the Feeding time for the penguins


their tickets, and visiting while these necessary measures are in place. “I know the animals will also be looking forward to seeing some new faces.” The zoo café will be offering takeaway service only. Other measures in place include limiting the number of daily visitors, a one-way system and social distancing signage, as well as hand sanitiser stations and protective screens at all public contact points.


To book tickets and secure your slot for visiting, call Belfast Zoo on 028 90776277.


VAT Reduction Warmly Welcomed by Tourism NI Chief has warmly


announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut VAT for hospitality and tourism as well as an Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August. “Today’s announcements by the Chancellor will provide a great boost for tourism and hospitality businesses across Northern Ireland. The reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% for six months will give a lifeline to businesses as they


re-open and continue to trade in very challenging circumstances.


“The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is also a


very welcome intervention for the hospitality sector which contributes so much to the visitor experience. “Taken together these measures will help to stimulate demand, encourage more people to take a break at home this summer and save local jobs.”


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