CONTENTS


The New Year is upon us! 2020 is over and a brand new year has begun! Hurrah! With the first rounds of vaccine already distributed it won’t be long before we are all jetting off for some much needed R&R in the sun... however, don’t forsake the good old homeland just yet - it still has plenty to offer for holidays at home, weekend breaks and fun days out! Inside the sixth edition of The Local


Tourist, Heidi McAlpin books in for a night at Belfast’s newest boutique hotel, Chelsea and her mum explore more of Kilkenny and we take a look at the fantastic line-up of hotels and cosy lodges that you should check into this winter. Whatever your plans (and yes, we can now actually start planning again!) for 2021 we hope you will choose more at home adventures in between your sunny getaways and explore more of the land that we all love!


Get in touch...


Kirsty Johnston Kirsty@nitravelnews.com Advertising:


Patrick Dixon Patrick@nitravelnews.com


Northern Ireland Travel News Unit 1, Windsor Business Park, 16-18 Lower Windsor Avenue, Belfast BT9 7DW


www.nitravelnews.com 02890 666 151


Quacking Award Win for Hastings Hotels and AV Browne


H


astings Hotels and AV Browne are celebrating after winning the Best Brand Building category and being Highly


Commended in Best Integrated Campaign for the heart-warming ‘Doorman and the Duck’ Christmas campaign at the prestigious Chartered Institute of Marketing (Ireland) Awards. The panel of judges included some of the most senior marketers within the industry in Ireland, and there was particularly stiff competition in the Brand Building Category from renowned brands like Tayto, the National Trust, Translink, Tobermore, Bloc Blinds and The Irish News. Julie Hastings, Director of Marketing for Hastings Hotels said:


“The ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign won the hearts of people across Ireland and around the world and we are delighted to have received this fantastic recognition. To date, the campaign video has received over 2.3 million hits on our own YouTube Channel and another 1.3 million on AV Browne’s. We have worked with AV Browne for many years and their


strategic and creative vision for our brand and consistent delivery for us has made them a trusted partner to Hastings Hotels, and this has been demonstrated by these awards. We were absolutely delighted with the ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign and to win against such strong competition is a real testament to our partnership and the truly integrated approach to the marketing


campaign.” Joanne Curran, Marketing Director, AV Browne added: “We’re


thrilled to finish this difficult year on a high with these hard- fought accolades alongside our client Hastings Hotels. The Christmas campaign ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign is a truly feel-good story that was the culmination of a three-year marketing strategy. It saw us move the campaign from a product and price based model, to an insight-led emotional creative approach combined with an efficient, trackable and content- heavy media strategy. The approach was a real departure for Hastings Hotels and


we are delighted that their trust in us to help them achieve unprecedented brand awareness and well above target Christmas gift card sales.”


Tourism Ireland Kick-Starts 2021 Recovery Plan N


ext year, Tourism Ireland will roll out a new ‘Northern Ireland: Embrace a Giant Spirit’ campaign in Britain, highlighting Northern Ireland as a great choice for a ‘staycation’ to


travellers. It will continue to highlight Northern Ireland’s connection with Game of Thrones and it aims to harness the opportunities presented by the new Game of Thrones studio tour at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, which is due to open in the summer. Mr Gibbons said: “Once this crisis is past and the island of Ireland is open again to


overseas visitors, we in Tourism Ireland will be ready to play our part in delivering a sustainable recovery, for the long-term future of our industry. “This has been a catastrophic year for everyone in our industry, but I do believe that


tourism can, and will, recover from this pandemic. Recent news about vaccines is really positive and gives us hope for travel in 2021. “In our research, Northern Ireland and Ireland have consistently been among the


destinations that holidaymakers say they would be most comfortable visiting, even while social distancing measures are in place. So, while we in Tourism Ireland certainly don’t underestimate the challenges that may lie ahead, we look to 2021 with hope and optimism. “When the time is right, Tourism Ireland will need to punch through the noise and create an immediate desire to visit. Flexibility, above all, will be absolutely key.”


Make Magical Memories on the Maritime Mile


E


njoyTHIS is a real-life adventure that will fuel the imagination and get you exploring Belfast’s iconic waterfront. There are


18 stops along the treasure trail way with questions, clues, facts and challenges all of which can be easily found on a series of information panels along the self-guided route. Everyone who completes the experience will get their very own Maritime Mile certificate.


Launched earlier this year, the joint initiative between the


Maritime Belfast Trust and Belfast Harbour saw thousands of people download the free map and attracted huge interaction on social media. It has been such a huge success that the Maritime Belfast Trust has announced it will extend the experience through January. The treasure trail will bring you along both sides of the River Lagan. Starting from City Quays, make your way past the AC Hotel Belfast and under the M3 underpass towards the Big Fish. Cross over the Lagan Weir Footbridge and along the waterfront towards Titanic Belfast. Venturing down the Titanic Walkway you will see the Great Light and HMS Caroline with the final stop at the historic Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House. While strolling along the waterfront look out for iconic landmarks including the Big Fish, Titanic Belfast, Titanic Hotel Belfast and the Great light. Walk a little further to St Joseph’s Church in Sailortown and sample some of the amazing coffee & food stops along the way and enjoy plenty of fresh air! During your visit, be sure to enjoy the food offerings including


Novelli at City Quay’s delicious new Winter menu, CARGO by Vertigo, and private dining experience like no other in Titanic Hotel Belfast! Or grab a light bite and hot drink from the ARC retailers including Paper Cup, Spar Titanic Quarter, the Dock Café and Subway. You can help your loved ones plan their next trip to the Maritime Mile, with special deals on Vertigo vouchers and gift vouchers available at Titanic Hotel Belfast.


2 The trail extension coincides with the launch of a brand-new


maritime mile website. Maritime-mile.com is a new mobile responsive website that will help visitors plan their next visit to the Maritime Mile. Features include an interactive map, things to see and do along Belfast’s iconic waterfront, great ideas for a great day e.g. from the Glass of Thrones stained glass windows and public art walking trails, to unique eateries and first-class accommodation and a get to know the Mile from the local neighbourhood experts; from Sailortown to Titanic Quarter, visitors can read blogs from NI playwright Dan Gordon and a former H&W employee to really get to know the Maritime Mile past and present! Please remember to follow current public health guidance, don’t


gather in large groups and keep your distance from others. The Christmas Maritime Mile Treasure Trail is an outdoor experience and can easily be enjoyed whilst following social distancing guidelines


F


unding has been provided through the Department for Communities’ Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme for 450 brand new innovative


‘smart’ bikes. The ‘SMARTbike 2.0’ has a smart technology framelock integrated into the bike which is powered by a solar panel. In addition to returning the bikes at the docking stations, people can now park a bike and lock and unlock using their smart phone instead of the current chain bike lock, making the users’ journey more flexible. Designed with the user in mind and built with high quality materials, the bikes’ new upgraded features will bring an improved riding experience for customers. This framelock includes integrated GPS so any missing bikes can be easily


located. The design of the bike will also help to prevent vandalism with a smart lock fitted to the back of each bike that will only be released when someone rents the bike. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey, said: “The introduction of these new smart bikes to the Belfast Bikes fleet is great news for current users of the Belfast Bikes and new users. There’s been a real surge in cycling over recent months in the city with people finding it a fun and healthy way to get around and get exercise. These new smart features will enhance the enjoyable cycling experience of the Belfast Bikes. We welcome the funding provided through the Department for Communities’ Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme to enable us to provide these innovative new bikes.” Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, said: “I am delighted Minister Ní Chuilín


collaborated with Executive colleagues in bringing forward a rapid response to the impacts of the health pandemic particularly on our towns and cities. The Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme has proved effective in supporting both businesses and communities in creating a safer and more attractive environment.”


New


SMARTbike Introduced to Belfast Bikes Fleet


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