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4 MILION. That’s how much investors of the unused George Best Hotel site in Belfast City Centre could lose after a recent high court ruling.


High court judge Madam Justice McBride expressed sympathy for the investors of the building as the decision was made to allow the building to be sold to administrators.


stories and filed evidence into the case in a bid to showcase interest from a third party investor, however, to no avail.


The main lender of the hotel, Lyell Trading Limited, fell into administration back in April 2020. After this period, the administrators took to the courts to receive permission to sell the property to provide the creditors with their earnings. In court, Madam Justice McBride explained that


“despite adjourning the matter on three occasions, no viable proposal has been made by a third party investor”. The hotel was set to open back in 2018, however, hit road blocks in regards to reported unsafe construction and damage to the historic building.


This comes after a new report submitted by the World Travel & Tourism Council explains the importance of investors in hotels as the sector recovers. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Hotel investment is absolutely key for the recovery and growth of the Travel & Tourism sector. Destinations must have a clear commitment and take a holistic approach to become resilient and competitive.” “As we recover from the pandemic and we build back


The George Best Hotel was set to open back in 2018


better, investments not only need to benefit destinations economically, but more importantly, socially and environmentally.”


Lawrence Kenwright, Signature Living’s owner, also owned the Crumlin Road Courthouse for a period of time with plans to develop the site in to a hotel. No work was ever started on the building. Speaking to NI Travel News, Donal Lyons of the SDLP expressed his disappointment of the lack of


progression to the sight, deeming it a “construction site for 5-6 years” ” [The hotel] is one of the significant historical buildings in Belfast, beside Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Hall”


He continued,


“We would like to see a tenant, owner or business in to protect the building and put it back in use.”


G Adventures Gain Highest Bookings Since Start of Pandemic


G ADVENTURES has released its July departures, with the highest number of trips operating since the onset of the pandemic, with more than 1,300 trips in over 50 countries departing throughout the month. The small group operator already has over 1,000 trips running in June and the increase in departures heralds a welcome return to tourism for local communities in the countries visited.


July will see the return of departures in popular destinations such as Laos, which also marks the milestone reopening of G Adventures’ popular ‘Indochina loop’ experiences in Asia, taking travellers to Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam in one trip.


And with travellers able to save 20% on trips departing before July 31, 2022 there are plenty of savings available for travellers who are still looking to book their summer escape. For those looking to depart further out, a 15% is available on trips scheduled for an August or September 2022 departure.


Brian Young, managing director for G Adventures in EMEA, says the return of Asia is a turning point for UK bookings.


“While many countries have opened up since the start of the year, all eyes have been on Asia, and particularly the four big players that make up the Indochina circuit. This route is incredibly popular among our youth travel


Belfast Tea Factory Set for New Lease of Life


styles and we’re excited to welcome the first departures of our Roamies tours in this region later this year,” Young commented.


“With more than 2,300 departures available across June and July, there are plenty of options for people to book across our portfolio of countries and travel styles,” says Young.


For more information on G Adventures, please visit www.gadventures.com.


New Surcharge Applied to Etihad Airways Tickets


ETIHAD Airways has confirmed that from 15th June 2022, A review will take place on the carriers passenger tickets to UAE.


The ‘Q’ surcharge is being revised and will be


reflected on Etihad’s passenger tickets issued and for travel from 15th June 2022 to 31st August 2022. Passengers flying IE-UAE in Economy seats will see a surcharge of $10 per direction, whilst passengers flying IE-UAE in Business will see a surcharge of $30 per direction. The carrier will also implement this change to


IT bookings from 1st July for any new or amended bookings only.


The THB was expected to begin in August Thailand Tourism Fee put on Hold


THAILAND’S agreed tourism fee has been postponed to at least the fourth quarter of the year confirms Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The THB 300 tourism fee, equivalent to $12, was expected to begin within August and September, however, this has now been pushed back to the latter stages of the year.


Thailand’s Pass system is also set to be scrapped at the end of this month as the country moves itself away from covid travel restrictions.


Both of these moves have been implemented


to increase international arrivals confimed Ratchakitprakarn.


Builders plan on adding an extra storey to the building


BELFASTcould be set to add a new hotel venue to its hospitality industry.


The previous Nambarrie Tea Factory, located on


Waring Street Belfast, could become the latest hotel to grace the skyline of Belfast as it waits planning permission. The planned hotel has been linked to Moxy, a brand of the Marriott Hotel group, with the vision of extending the existing building to accommodate 164 bedrooms, with the addition of 3 storeys to the already 4 storey building.


The decision lies with Belfast city council; the council committee is expected to come together to make a decision as to whether the hotel will get the green light.


For all historically priced bookings, the new surcharge will not apply provided, however if any changes are made to a booking then it must be repriced and the new surcharge will apply. For more information, please visit etihadhub. contact


com or representative. your local Etihad Airways


July/August 2022 Travel News


Investors to Lose Millions as Vacant George Best Hotel to be Sold £


Over the days in court, investors submitted personal


Antigua and Barbuda Celebrate British Airways 60th Anniversary Milestone


THIS month, Antigua and Barbuda mark a partnership milestone with British Airways, as the airline celebrates 60 years of flights between London and St, John, Antigua. For three generations, British Airways has connected travellers with Antigua and Barbuda, allowing eager visitors to experience the best of the twin-island nation.


Antigua and Barbuda marked British Airways’ 60th anniversary of flying to the twin-island nation with a cocktail reception hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority at the Rock Cottage, Blue Waters. Cultural dancers and the melodious sounds of the Steelband set the celebratory mood, greeting British Airways executives, hoteliers, aviation and tourism stakeholders


including representatives from the


Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.


At the event, the Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment, congratulated the airline on the excellent relationship cultivated throughout the sixty-year period, expressing interest in continued partnership and the further growth of flights to the destination.


“British Airways has for sixty years connected travellers from the UK and Europe to Antigua and Barbuda, allowing us to share our culture, our heritage, our hospitality, and the beauty of our destination. As a trusted partner, British Airways is interwoven into our tourism story. We share a rich history – from destination partnerships, marketing campaigns, to unwavering support during times of need, they have without a doubt contributed to the success of our tourism product. As we share in this momentous occasion, we congratulate and applaud BA. We look forward to many more years of partnership, and a mutually rewarding relationship with our twin-island paradise.”


British Airways is the longest serving carrier connecting the Caribbean to the UK, and its links to the region are stronger than ever, supporting local tourism and bringing families and friends together. British Airways, Regional Director (Antigua, St. Kitts, and Turks & Caicos) – Airports, Patrice Skerritt commenting on the tourism celebrations said: “We are most appreciative of your efforts in recognising this milestone with us at British Airways. “British Airways has always had a very strong relationship with Antigua and Barbuda and for sixty years, we have flown visitors to enjoy holidays, and we have reunited our Caribbean friends and family both here in the region as well as in London and beyond.” Skerritt thanked the gathering for joining in the anniversary celebrations and noted that the airline looked forward to serving the route for many more years to come.


British Airways then called British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) first touched down at Antigua’s V. C. Bird International Airport on June 1, 1962. A sense of nostalgia was brought to the event as CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin C. James shared tales of the airline from its first flight to Antigua in 1962, their 1965 corporate sponsorship of Antigua Carnival, and the November 2, 1984 arrival of the Concorde to Antigua – as well as the development of a modern day partnership considered a “marriage made in heaven with an airline that has always served the destination well”.


Turkey Latest Holiday Hotspot to Lift Travel Restrictions


UNVACCINATED holiday goers can begin to pack their bags for Turkey this summer as the country is set to lift covid-19 travel restrictions.


Currently, unvaccinated travellers are required to present a negative covid-19 test or proof of recovery before being able to enter Turkey.


Vaccinated individuals are required to provide proof of their vaccination status.


From 1 June, any travellers going to the holiday destination were no longer required to provide any proof of vaccination, recovery or test, meaning Turkey will be top of holidaymakers destination wishlists!


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