July/August 2024


Ulster Bank to Give £7 Million to New Hotel Expansion in North Coast


ULSTER Bank has announced over £7 million in support for one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality and property development companies as it makes its largest investment in its hotel portfolio outside of Belfast. The new 83-bedroom Marcus Hotel Portrush is being developed as part of an £11 million investment by Andras House, Belfast’s largest hotel operator, and will be operated under franchise


from Hilton under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand.


Andras House was founded in Belfast in 1981 and today operates seven internationally- branded hotels with over 1,000 beds across Holiday Inn® Belfast City Centre, Holiday Inn® Express, three ibis Hotels, the Crowne Plaza, Hampton by Hilton Hotel in the city’s Hope Street, and Cordia Serviced Apartments. Its investment in Portrush – which will be


the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel on the island of Ireland – represents the hotelier’s largest investment outside of Belfast. Richard Lusty, Relationship Director at Ulster


Bank, said: “Andras House has been a cornerstone of the hospitality sector in Belfast for decades and has contributed significantly to the advancement of the city’s tourism offering. Its latest investment is the culmination of over 40 years of industry expertise applied to the scenic North Coast which will serve as an important economic driver for the area, creating new jobs and further strengthening its domestic and international appeal.”


Construction on the new hotel is continuing at pace and is expected to complete in 2025 in time for The Open, which returns to Royal Portrush next year.


www.nitravelnews.com


Get Ready for a Summer of Wonder with Castle Espie


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 33


Translink Calls on Passengers to Download the New mLink App


GET ready as the summer of wonder 2024 starts at WWT Castle Espie, and everyone is invited to explore, connect and enjoy creating new experiences, whilst deepening their understanding of the wonderful wetlands through a range of unique and interesting events and activities across July and August. Look out for a wow around every corner


TRANSLINK has launched a significant update to its mLink mobile ticketing app and is calling on both current users and new passengers to download the new version.


With a striking new look, the new version


will


with a new postcard adventure trail. Nine epic giant postcards, designed by children’s illustrator Ella Beech, share personal messages from nine animals who live in wetland habitats around the world. Use the WWT Castle Espie trail map to find the postcards as well as get up close and personal with the interesting species enjoying the summer months at WWT Castle Espie.


replace the current app.


Join the WWT Castle Espie resident explorer (15 – 26 July) as he follows in the footsteps of his Great Great Uncle Arthur, a famous Victorian explorer who went missing in the jungles of Peru. Using his left behind possessions and special codes, take an adventure and explore the hidden world of nature with the help of Uncle Arthur’s secret journal and mysterious inventions. Booking is advisable for Great Uncle Arthur’s astonishing adventures. Spaces are limited on weekdays only. Mini adventurers can look forward to face painting sessions throughout July and August as well as a teddy bear’s picnic, bring your favourite cuddly toy and enjoy nature stories and games in


duckery becomes home to a number of ducklings. Many hand reared by WWT Castle Espie experts who closely monitor their development, helping to ensure their survival. When ready, they can be introduced to the outdoor duckery for visitors to enjoy watching as they adapt to the outside world For further details what’s on at WWT Castle Espie this winter visit https://www. wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie


Lough Erne Resort Unveils Latest Phase In Multi- Million-Pound Facelift


LOUGH Erne Resort has announced the completion of the latest phase of a multi- million-pound upgrade programme to reinforce its credentials as a unique ‘world apart’ leisure destination. Refreshed interior styling now reflects


the natural assets of the resort’s 600- acre private peninsula and harmonise with the water, wild countryside, and landscaped grounds that envelope its luxury accommodation. The latest phase of a long-term investment commitment represents a greater focus on guest well-being and mindfulness. It is part of Lough Erne Resort’s largest capital injection since it came under the management of US- based TRU Hotels and Resorts. Gareth Byrne, General Manager at


the resort said: “The Resort has been truly transformed with our former old- world interiors now aligning with the beauty of our countryside setting and the pursuits which we offer on Lough Erne. Guest feedback has been really encouraging, with many referring to our freshly designed Garden Hall as ‘modern


the woodland. Not forgetting the Belfast International Arts Festival Announces 2024 Return


Belfast International Arts Festival returns for its 62nd edition this autumn with a jam-packed programme of global artists converging across the city.


The festival returns from 16th October – 20th November.


The full programme for this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival will be announced on 13th August.


This move is a further step in the organisation’s drive towards a greener, digital-led future ticketing strategy set to enhance the overall customer experience through unlocking great value fares. William McGookin, Translink Head of Ticketing explained, “With the growth in smartphones and the post-Covid demand for more ‘contactless’ ticketing, there has been a surge in the number of passengers using mLink over recent years.


This is


due to all of the benefits of mLink app including enhanced customer confidence, ease of use and convenience of purchasing your ticket ’on the move’. “Launched 10 years ago, we have seen a growth of 24% of customers using mLink compared to last year which means that over 20% of all fare-paying passenger journeys are now made on mLink – that’s around 10million passenger journeys every year.


further given the increasing demand for mobile apps and ‘smart tickets’ we have taken the opportunity to review and enhance the current product making it even more efficient and easier to use. Offering good value fares alongside secure payment options to give peace of mind, it also has the added environmental benefit of going paperless. “As we are replacing the current version, we need all current users to download the new mLink app in order to keep using this convenient payment option. But we’re also encouraging new customers to take advantage of mLink, download the app and give it a try. “mLink mobile tickets, alongside other cashless travel options like contactless payments on-bus, smartcards and iLink, are a great way to help speed up boarding times while offering good value, flexibility and convenience”, William concluded. To avail of yLink or 24+ Student Railcard mLink tickets passengers need to register the appropriate valid card within the mLink app. In addition, customers can access real-time travel information, a journey planner,


and timetables with the With this popularity projected to grow company’s Translink NI app.


regency’ which makes us very proud. Irish-based interior designer, Ciara


Ní Laoi, said the new interior design complemented the newly elevated premium brand. “The brief was something that evolved through collaboration with Mark Ward and Jeff Mahan from TRU Hotels and Resorts LLC, who are the US-based operators of the resort. “Essentially it was about creating


a look and feel that was classic and elegant, whilst at the same time comfortable, welcoming and informal. I really believe we have achieved that and have been successful in creating a wonderful interior colour palette that mirrors the glorious, natural external tones and shades that envelop the wonderful hotel building and lodges. “Lough Erne Resort is a truly unique


and beautiful location, with the lake, in particular playing such a huge role in the overall visual impact. I wanted to pull in some of the myriad of wonderful colours on the outside by seeking to connect with them and reflect them internally. When guests walk into the newly refurbed guestrooms and lodges they will be amazed at the synergy between outside and inside. “There is also a wonderful contrast between the reception area and the Garden Hall where your gaze is captivated by the stunning lake vista that opens up in front of you.” As Ciara reveals, the choice of carpet played a crucial role in the final design. “We worked really closely with Ulster Carpets to create a bespoke design that incorporates the same natural colour palette as the rest of the interiors.”


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