Travel News August 2020


BOOST’ TO STAYCATION INDUSTRY T


HE UK Chancellor’s VAT and dining out price cuts package announced this week has been described by the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, the biggest hotel group in the North, as the perfect post-lockdown boost to the staycation industry. “The move to reduce tourism and hospitality Vat, combined with plans to give people a 50% discount to eat out in August, could not have come at a better time for an industry that needed an injection of confidence,” said Howard Hastings.


“We have long complained that our Vat rate at 20% was inequitable compared to the South. The decision to reduce it to 5% until January means that we can now offer even more incentives to people to travel to the north for their holidays.


“We will have new lower accommodation rates on our website tomorrow and all our food menus will be repriced to reflect the Vat changes.


“We will be participating fully in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme which will see a 50% reduction, up to £10 per head, on sit-down meals and non-alcoholic drinks from Mondays to Wednesdays in August. “The combination of both of these moves will be welcome news to people looking to book staycations who may not have considered the North previously.”


Voted Ireland’s best luxury hotel group for the past two years,


The Hastings Collection has seven hotels, including the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa, the world-famous Europa Hotel, the four- star Stormont Hotel and Northern Ireland’s largest new hotel, The Grand Central Hotel – all situated in Belfast. Outside Belfast, the magnificent Slieve Donard Resort and Spa


is situated adjacent to the world-famous Royal County Down Golf course in Newcastle Co Down.


The Group also owns the four-star Everglades Hotel in Derry, and the historic Ballygally Castle set on the stunning Antrim coast at the gateway to the nine Glens of Antrim, a short drive from the Giant’s Causeway and world-famous Games of Thrones Tour.


FE McWilliam Gallery & Studio


Reopens FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio reopened in Banbridge today (Wednesday July 29) and is safely welcoming back visitors to enjoy its award-winning permanent display of McWilliam’s work, outstanding exhibitions, craft shop, gardens, food and drink. Dedicated to the memory of local sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Ireland’s most influential and successful artists, the free-to-visit gallery and studio, which has been closed since March, will be open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Described by the Irish Times as one of the island’s ‘hidden


gems’ and a “remarkable” facility, top travel expert Pól Ó Conghaile at the Irish Independent has also described the gallery and studio as a ‘hidden gem’ while heaping praise on its award- winning restaurant, Quail’s. The FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio was established in 2008, two decades after the sculptor’s death, to house works his family bequeathed to the people of Banbridge, including the contents of his studio, a replica of which sits in the garden. The son of a local doctor, McWilliam was born in the town in 1909 and his work spans most of the major artistic movements of the 20th century. Featuring a permanent display of McWilliam’s work, temporary exhibitions of Irish and international art, a craft shop, café and Banbridge Visitor Information Point, the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio is popular among visitors from across the island.


Summer Serenity Retreat Promises Loughside Zen


NORTHERN Ireland’s five-star Lough Erne Resort, has teamed up with one of Ireland’s leading yoga experts, Genny Brown, to offer a restorative Summer Serenity yoga retreat set within the Fermanagh resort’s stunning 600 acre secluded peninsula. The luxury retreat includes an overnight stay


in one of Lough Erne Resort’s stunning suites, a personalised outdoor morning yoga session over-looking Castle Hume Lough, a relaxing and personalised Bath Butler experience within your own suite, and a three course dinner at the Loughside Bar and Grill. Commenting on the new package which focuses on wellbeing and mindfulness, yoga instructor, Genny Brown, who is recognised as having the highest standards of training and teaching experience through Yoga Alliance Professionals, said: “After a long period of lockdown which has limited many people’s opportunities to properly relax and take time for themselves, this package offers the perfect balance of luxury escapism with focus on both physical and mental wellbeing. “Not only does the act of yoga and gentle meditation help with many aspects of relaxation and restoration, but the close proximity to calming waterways has been proven to provide additional benefits for the mind, body and soul.”


The Summer Serenity retreat is just one of several newly curated packages at Lough Erne Resort with a dedicated focus on wellbeing which allow guests to take advantage of the peaceful County Fermanagh waterways and secluded walks. In addition to special features within the package, all guests can enjoy the relaxing infinity pool and take in the views


Visit Armagh Puts Adventure and Experience at Heart of New Summer Tourism Campaign


VISIT Armagh has launched a new video to promote the area’s wealth of outdoor beauty, rich cultural history and heritage, hospitality and variety of great places to stay as part of a new summer staycation tourism campaign. From Armagh’s striking Palace Demesne and Park,


Lurgan, Loughgall and Gosford Forest Parks to the southern shores of Lough Neagh, the ABC borough is home to some of Northern Ireland’s best havens for relaxation and recreation, and many hidden gems, and is ideal for a range of outdoor pursuits. Famous around the world as Ireland’s ‘Orchard County’


and filled with thousands of acres of Bramley apple trees interspersed with forests, parks meadows and walking trails ideal for picnics – or just to take in the views – there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.


Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Councillor Kevin Savage, said: “As more people look to staycation this year, our research shows that today’s visitor wants to reconnect with the beauty of Armagh and our wider borough, to spend more leisure time outdoors and to enjoy what we have on our doorstep.


“As one of the largest green council areas, we are fortunate to be home to some of the region’s most beautiful parks and spaces – many of which remain undiscovered by some but where a warm welcome always awaits. “As our cities and towns come back to life, we’re encouraging more people to shop and stay local and to enjoy picnics using the best quality local produce and to savour the time they spend with us.


“There’s plenty to discover and it’s right here, right now.”


Working closely with Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the council will be promoting a wide variety of things do, see and enjoy over the summer, sharing suggested travel itineraries for day, overnight and short break trips, as well as great places to eat, shop and visit.


Since March, Visit Armagh has been keeping its award-winning tourism credentials to the fore as part of a digital engagement programme, reminding audiences at home and away of the city and region’s unrivalled appeal as a must-visit destination. It also embarked on a series of initiatives to support a range of industry partners as the sector prepares to move to recovery mode.


Titanic Belfast is Good to Go… Are you?


TITANIC Belfast, which has been closed since 18th March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, has unveiled new measures and enhancements to deliver a world-class visitor experience ahead of its grand re-opening on 1st August 2020.


Over the past four months, the team behind the award-


winning attraction, have been introducing measures that are not only safe, welcoming and in line with government guidance but that do justice to the world-famous story. Titanic Belfast, which has been credited with changing the tourism footprint of Northern Ireland was delivering approximately £60 million pounds a year in additional spend to the local economy prior to the COVID-19.


along the Collop Walk surrounding the resort. The resort will also be offering complimentary lakeside yoga classes to guests each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday with Summer stays including a themed breakfast available with a traditional resort guest room. The committed team at Lough Erne Resort


has also created a detailed Guest Care and Well-Being Promise to ensure guest comfort and safety throughout their visit, whilst still providing the warm Fermanagh welcome and attention to detail Lough Erne Resort is renowned for.


New Experiences in Ards and North Down!


DISCOVER what Ards and North Down has to offer with a selection of fantastic experiences that let you explore some fascinating places, enjoy some delicious food and immerse yourself in the beauty of the borough while enjoying a friendly welcome! From paddleboarding and kayaking to


cooking your own freshly caught fish, as well as a watercolour workshop that will get those creative juices flowing, you can enjoy the natural beauty of our countryside while enjoying all of the warmth and hospitality that Ards and North Down has to offer. Running from August until early October,


six different experiences offer something for everyone. The first Sunrise Paddle and Yoga Experience (1 Aug) starts with an early morning paddle in the waters of Strangford Lough that takes you to an island where yoga and breakfast await.


If you fancy the perfect foodie adventure,


then Catch and Cook (22 Aug/6 Sep) lets you head out from Bangor Marina with a local boatman, giving you the opportunity to catch your own fish, before returning to cook at one of Bangor’s seafront restaurants. You can also try a guided SUP-NIC Paddleboarding Experience (29 Aug/12 Sep/3 Oct) that includes a picnic on your paddleboard while you take in the beautiful surroundings. If tea and cake is more your thing, the Killinchy based Canoe and Cake Experience (30 Aug/5 Sep) lets you enjoy the sights of Strangford Lough from the water. Then you will visit a traditional Irish thatched cottage for some delicious cake where you will also be treated to a demonstration of soda bread making. You can also Explore the Shore (20 Sep) at Whiterock by kayak on a magical adventure that brings you closer to the lough’s wildlife. Stop off at one of the many islands before foraging for mussels with your guide and trained chef, who will cook them with a local Irish whiskey cream sauce. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry


land, you can awaken your creative spirit at the Water’s Edge Watercolours Workshop (26 Sep) in Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Enjoy a brief tour with a guide before joining local artist, Bernice Anderson, for coffee, scones and a two-hour workshop where you will create a pen and watercolour illustration of the Centre’s birds.


HOTEL GROUP HAILS VAT CUT ‘PERFECT Howard


Hastings of Hasting’s Hotels Group says the UK Chancellor’s VAT and dining price cuts package is the “perfect post-


lockdown boost to the staycation industry”


NORTHERN IRELAND 23


NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry Calls for Greater Measures after VAT Cut


THE Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry has responded to the Chancellor’s Summer Statement by calling for greater measures to help the struggling tourism and hospitality businesses across the Province.


Commenting on the Chancellor’s Summer Statement, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), said: “Businesses will welcome many of the Chancellor’s announcements, although it is likely that the scale of the stimulus needed to help the economy recover will need to be greater still over the coming months. We now look to the NI Executive for clarity on how it plans to use the Barnett consequential revenues in Northern Ireland. “We look forward to seeing the detail of the job retention bonus to help safeguard jobs for some furloughed staff, but the best way to protect jobs is to reduce the overall cost of employment. Ministers must therefore consider a cut in employer national insurance contributions in the coming months. “The VAT cut will help firms in the hospitality and


tourism sectors working hard to restart after many months of lost revenue.


“Over the coming weeks the Chancellor will also need to address a number of other key concerns – most importantly the impending end of key business loan schemes. Northern Ireland’s corporate indebtedness has risen as a result and it is critical that Government, banks and regulators work together with business communities to find solutions that help viable businesses recover and invest.


“NI Chamber has already suggested a Westminster-


funded ‘Business Revival Fund’ that firms can use in any way they need to increase productivity to deal with the fall out of the COVID-19 crisis – may that be to help them change their products/services, invest in new markets or introduce more sustainable practices for example,” she added.


Explore a Brand New Nature Trail at Mount Congreve Gardens


THE seventy acres Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford have launched a brand new seasonal Nature Trail for children. The trail offers families an abundance of nature to explore and to ensure that younger visitors engage with the flora and fauna on offer and has been created offering the little ones 15 different questions and challenges as they meander the walking trails amongst the world- famous gardens located just outside Waterford City. The new looped Nature Trail walk will keep everyone happy, with a buggy-friendly path smaller tots can snooze while older ones enjoy the series of questions for them to solve along the way. In total, the Nature Trail is a 1.5km walk and can be completed in approximately 40 minutes. The little ones can fill in their nature trail answers on the back of their map along the way in order to complete the challenge. The gardens at Mount Congreve consist of intensively


planted woodland gardens, a four-acre walled garden with 16 km of walking trails. The gardens are located 10 minutes from Waterford City Centre overlooking the majestic River Suir.


Hat Trick of Awards for Titanic


Hotel Belfast STAFF at Titanic Hotel Belfast had plenty to smile about as the doors reopened last Friday, with the news that the hotel had won three 2020 Irish Hotel Awards. The hat trick of awards recognise the quality of the hotel and its outstanding restaurant. Named overall Irish Hotel Restaurant of the Year


and Ulster Hotel Restaurant of the Year, the Wolff Grill was judged on the standard of food and service it has become renowned for since opening two years ago. With 119 luxury rooms overlooking the world famous


Titanic Slipways and Harland & Wolff cranes, the hotel won the Great Place to Stay Quality Award, a huge boost in confidence for the management and staff as they started welcoming guests back into the hotel for the first time since lockdown.


Lough Erne Celebrates Successful Re-Opening


AFTER spending 17 weeks in lockdown, Lough Erne Resort celebrated the re-opening of the hotel on the 17th July. The re-awakening of the resort also marked a new milestone for the five-star resort, which is now operating under the newly appointed General Manager, Joanne Walsh. The re-opening saw staff resume business under a range of new measures, as outlined in the resort’s Guest Care & Wellbeing ‘promise’, including Staff and Guest temperature checking, advance check-ins, the provision of single-use items, and the introduction of a dedicated Guest Care and Wellbeing Team.


Nestled on a 600-acre peninsula with spectacular


views of the Fermanagh Lakelands and access to the popular Collop Walk, Lough Erne Resort is renowned as one of Northern Ireland’s finest five-star hotels.


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