November/December 2023
County Armagh Hotel Named AA Hotel of The Year Northern Ireland 2023
KILLEAVY Castle Estate, a four-star luxury retreat nestled in the heart of County Armagh has been named AA Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards 2023.
Killeavy Castle Estate, which opened
its doors to guests in 2019, has swiftly emerged as a beacon of excellence in the Irish hospitality industry. With its breathtaking setting amidst 365 acres of countryside on the slopes of Slieve Gullion, comprising a 45-bedroom boutique hotel, two charming lodges, magnificent castle accommodation, spa, working farm, fine dining farm to fork restaurant, farm store and woodlands the estate has redefined sustainable luxury and relaxation.
www.nitravelnews.com
NEW Sports Entertainment Tours from City of Derry Airport
AN exciting new partnership between City of Derry Airport and renowned sports package provider, Sports Entertainment Tours, has been announced with the launch of exclusive packages for Wimbledon 2024 and Formula 1, and additional packages for Premiership Football, NFL and World Championship Boxing will also be available to book in the coming months. Brenda Morgan MBE, Head of Business Development at City of Derry Airport, expressed her delight at the new partnership: “We are thrilled to join forces with Sports Entertainment Tours on this venture, providing sports fans and enthusiasts across the Northwest region with a truly special product offering. Sports Entertainment Tours are absolute experts in what they do and hold years of experience in designing sports packages for some of the largest sporting events around the world. “For City of Derry Airport, it is particularly exciting to be able to offer packages for such a high-end market, particularly for Wimbledon which is very exclusive and holds great prestige, and we look forward to welcoming a host of new passengers to the Airport. “The packages are comprised of Loganair
Belfast’s Hotels Go Green in Major Sustainability Shift
FOLLOWING a groundbreaking partnership led by Visit Belfast, Belfast City Council and Green Tourism in 2021,
hoteliers across Belfast are
ramping up their green credentials at a record rate. Seventy five percent of the city region’s 4,800 hotel rooms are now officially accredited by Green Tourism, the global body which promotes sustainable and environmental standards across the sector. More than 20 leading hotels, groups and brands, including Hastings Hotels, The Merchant Hotel, Bullitt Hotel, Andras House Hotel Group, Titanic Hotel Belfast, AC Hotel Belfast, Clayton Hotel, The Maldron Belfast City Centre, The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Hilton Belfast, the Leonardo Hotel, Malmaison Hotel, The Harrison, Radisson Blu and Ramada by Wyndham have all secured a Green Tourism award in a drive to support Belfast’s sustainable tourism mission.
New Guinness Brewery
Experience Tour Offers BTS Look of Guinness
Storehouse JUST in time for upcoming holiday travel, the Guinness Storehouse has big plans to immerse visitors into the 260+ year history of the brand like never before. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, Guinness lovers will go into underground tunnels for the first time, marvel at modern technology at Brewhouse 4, perfect the art of pouring beautiful Guinness, enjoy a hosted food and beer experience at Guinness Storehouse and finish with a Guinness overlooking Dublin’s skyline at the Gravity bar. Curated especially for the “history buff” in us all, the new tour is sure to fully immerse visitors into the magical world of Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse is located in
the heart of Dublin’s Liberties, an area renowned for its brewing and distilling history. Just metres from the Home of Guinness is the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, an experimental taproom and brewery where brewers are given the creative license to dream in beer.
return flights to London Heathrow, including 15kg hold baggage and in-flight refreshments, hotel accommodation, tickets to the sports event outlined, as well as special add-ons for each specific
package.” Mrs. Morgan continued: “Passengers
can be assured of a convenient, efficient, and enjoyable airport experience at City of Derry; you can avail of the best priced Airport Parking on the island of Ireland, and proceed from the carpark, located right beside the single-level Terminal Building, through to the Departure Gate in less than 15 minutes. “Our Amelia Earhart Lounge is the perfect
place to relax in before your flight, with the provision of drinks and refreshments served by the Lounge team in a secluded, comfortable space, and offering beautiful views of the airfield and the Donegal hills, for just £15pp.” John Boyde, Managing Director at Sports Entertainment Tours, stated: “Being able to support City of Derry Airport’s catchment area with the exclusive offering of these bespoke sporting packages is a wonderful addition to our portfolio of global events.’ ‘As a business, our primary goal is
to consistently exceed our clients’ expectations, and by partnering with City of Derry Airport, this is another opportunity for us to showcase our fantastic offering and service to the local market. “Suffice to say, we love what we do,
and as all of us on the team are sporting enthusiasts, being able to build these unique packages gives us immense pleasure. We are grateful to have the support of City of Derry Airport on this new initiative.”
THE LOCAL TOURIST | 53
£100,000 Challenge Fund Launches with Aim of Animating Belfast’s Maritime Mile
A NEW £100,000 Challenge Fund competition has opened for Belfast’s digital and creative companies, aimed at animating the city’s Maritime Mile. Developed by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office, in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, the fund is part of the Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) project.
HUB-IN is all about exploring how
digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance, and preserve the rich and unique heritage along Belfast’s Maritime Mile which connects key attractions, sculptures and viewing points on both sides of the River Lagan. Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic
Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Christina Black said: “HUB-IN is part of our Smart Belfast programme which aims to stimulate collaborative innovation and this new fund provides a wonderful opportunity to nurture exciting new relationships between the heritage and creative industries sectors, local communities, and businesses along the Maritime Mile, and support people to develop entrepreneurial and digital innovation skills.” Jenna Crymble, Marketing and Digital Content Officer at Maritime Belfast Trust added: “We are looking forward to the Challenge
Fund generating some really innovative ways to further enrich and animate our iconic waterfront, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the sights and sounds of the city’s rich industrial and maritime heritage.” Local creative digital SMEs can apply
for grants of up to £20,000 to collaborate with cultural and heritage organisations and local communities to develop and trial innovative digital products and experiences to help increase footfall, dwell time and local spend in the area and further transform the Maritime Mile into a dynamic destination. Te closing date for applications is 20
November 2023. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their ideas and successful applicants will be announced on 12 December 2023. Visit
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/XRbelfast and
www.smartbelfast.city for more information.
Belfast City Airport Ranked Most Punctual Airport in UK
BELFAST City Airport has been named as the UK’s Most Punctual Airport for Q1 and Q2 2023 following the publication of new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority. The data analyses arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights, with figures for the first six months of 2023. Mark Beattie, Chief Operating Officer
at Belfast City Airport said “At Belfast City Airport delivering an excellent experience for each person that travels through our airport every year is very important to us, and it is testament to this ongoing commitment we have retained our position as the UK’s most punctual airport.”
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