94 | TRADE NEWS Hays Travel
Announces Continued Partnership with Much Loved TV Personality
www.nitravelnews.com
NI Tourism Companies Join China Sales Mission with Tourism Ireland
TOURISM Ireland showcased Northern Ireland to 180 Chinese tour operators and travel agents across four cities in China at the European Tourism Association (ETOA) China European Marketplace. The marketplace included a range of B2B events with VisitBritain in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. The China sales blitz involved workshops and networking opportunities with Visit Belfast and Game of Thrones Studio Tour in attendance.
The event gave tourism businesses the opportunity to encourage Chinese travel
July/August 2026
professionals to broaden their Northern Ireland offering and to include NI and the island of Ireland in their programmes for 2026 and beyond. Aisling McDermott, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Global Partnerships, said: “We’re delighted that around 180 key Chinese travel professionals took the time to come and meet with our partners from Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland, to learn all about our superb tourism offering. Our aim is to increase their awareness and secure a greater share of their business for the island of Ireland in 2026 and beyond.”
AmaWaterways Appoints Two Leadership Roles Following Recent Growth
AMAWATERWAYS has announced its appointment of two strategic leadership roles within its team.
The river cruise company has appointed
a Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of New Build and Maintenance to further support AmaWaterway’s growing fleet and expanded global presence.
Quinby Dobbins has been appointed
HAYS Travel has announced its continued partnership with TV presenter, fitness guru, author, and mother Davina McCall. Davina’s partnership with the travel agency began in May 2025 and since then she has been featured on Hays Travel TV advertisement, marketing and in-branch promotional materials. Davina has also been a face across Hays Travel social media channels.
Dame Irene Hays said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Davina; she is a pleasure to work with and genuinely understands and supports our business. Not only has she been an excellent ambassador for the role of travel agents and booking with a real person, she also fully embraces our values and commitment to our people, customers and the communities we serve. “Our customers love Davina’s warmth, and her positivity makes her an inspirational role model to our people, and she is a valued member of our Hays Travel family.” Commenting on partnering with Hays Travel, Davina said:
“The last year working with Hays Travel
has been so much fun and I’m thrilled to continue the partnership. There have been some real stand-out moments, from working with the marketing team to surprising colleagues by turning up at their conference in November, which was hilarious! “It’s a real honour to work with Dame Irene and her brilliant team who are all really really lovely… And they are just as committed to doing an excellent job – every day – as she is!”
as Chief Financial Officer, bringing 25 years experience in global finance and transformation
experience. She most
recently served as SVP of Corporate Finance & Treasury at Carnival Corporation and has also led major capital and refinancing initiatives.
In her new role she will over see
AmaWaterways financial strategy and capital allocation.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Dobbins said: “I’m excited to join AmaWaterways at
such a dynamic moment in the company’s evolution, AmaWaterways has built a phenomenal brand rooted in exceptional experiences and genuine hospitality, and I look forward to supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy as it continues expanding its fleet and global presence.” Stefano Negro has also been appointed as
Vice President of New Build and Maintenance following his previous experience as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer.
Stefano
spent almost a decade supporting Carnival Corporations ship building team. Stefano will lead AmaWaterway’s new build and maintenance strategy. Mr. Negro said: “It’s incredibly inspiring to join a company so deeply committed to innovation and delivering elevated guest experiences, As AmaWaterways continues to evolve its fleet, I’m excited to bring innovative ideas and sustainable solutions to life, creating ships that feel even more immersive, experiential, and connected to the destinations they sail through.”
HOTEL receptionist’s from across Northern Ireland attended the 2026 NIHF Receptionists Awards for a glittering ceremony at the Armagh City Hotel. The awards celebrated the skills, adaptability and professionalism of the front-of-house team members who deliver excellent service across Northern Ireland’s hotels.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, highlighting the range of talent within the sector. The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the
Year’, was Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry- Londonderry, Dunluce Lodge in Portrush was awarded second place, with Corick House Hotel & Spa in County Tyrone secured third place.
In the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category, Thomas Keeley-Henderson from the Stormont Hotel in Belfast was announced winner. Fiachra Doyle from the Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa in Newcastle was runner-up, with Samantha Forsythe from Crowne Plaza Belfast in third place. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award, was presented to Tracey Forbes from The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine. Kristen McFeely from the Waterfoot Hotel in Derry-Londonderry was
runner-up, with Clare Sweeney from Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry-Londonderry taking third place. Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) President Vicky Green congratulated all the winners and finalists: “Reaching the final of the NIHF Receptionist
Awards is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and skill demonstrated by all participants throughout a rigorous process. “Hotels are, and always will be, a people business, and reception teams play a vital role in shaping the guest experience. They set the tone from the moment a guest arrives and are central to the success of every hotel. “What stood out this year was the confidence, passion and professionalism shown by all our finalists. Their commitment to hospitality and to delivering outstanding guest experiences highlights the strength of talent across our industry.
“The awards also provide an important platform to recognise excellence, share best practice and showcase career opportunities within our sector. My own career began at reception, and I know first-hand the impact this role can have in building a successful career in hospitality.”
NIHF Awards Celebrate Best Front-of House Staff in Glittering Ceremony
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 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96
