Menu
01/08/2008
NI Hotels Booming - In A Different Way
As memories of daily bomb attacks and deserted night-time Belfast streets patrolled by heavily armed troops recede into another era, it has emerged that hotels in Northern Ireland have had their best year ever.
The man who was at one time running the beleaguered Belfast Europa Hotel when it was taken into receivership - after the latest of dozens of IRA bomb attacks - and whose optimism about the future was shared only by the eventual owner of the hotel, Dr Billy Hastings, who invested several £millions in the then struggling city centre facility - has now got much better news to tell.
After earlier years of struggle to support an industry in 'terror turmoil', Michael Williamson, now Director of Hotel, Tourism and Leisure Consulting at ASM Horwath (pictured with the NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster, serving-up the new report) has said the results of the report are the best he has seen in almost 15 years.
Announcing results of a survey that even those few committed individuals from the dark days of The Troubles could scarcely have believed possible, he said: "In financial performance terms, the industry now outperforms hotels in Dublin, one of the most dynamic markets in Europe over the past number of years.
"This can be regarded as a major transformation to an industry that was once considered the domain of only the brave or the foolhardy," he said.
He said that demand for hotel bedrooms outstripped supply in some areas like Belfast - a huge turnaround from when Mr Williamson featured on BBC TV news among the wreckage of the Europa Hotel - announcing his commitment to 'business as usual'.
The survey carried out by consultants ASM Horwath found that the increase in bed occupancy rates had been fuelled by overseas holidaymakers, short-break and business tourists.
The increase meant that hotels in Northern Ireland outperformed all regions in the Republic in financial terms.
Unsurprisingly, NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the findings.
She said the local hotel industry should maximize the contribution that tourism can make to the economy.
(BMcC)
The man who was at one time running the beleaguered Belfast Europa Hotel when it was taken into receivership - after the latest of dozens of IRA bomb attacks - and whose optimism about the future was shared only by the eventual owner of the hotel, Dr Billy Hastings, who invested several £millions in the then struggling city centre facility - has now got much better news to tell.
After earlier years of struggle to support an industry in 'terror turmoil', Michael Williamson, now Director of Hotel, Tourism and Leisure Consulting at ASM Horwath (pictured with the NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster, serving-up the new report) has said the results of the report are the best he has seen in almost 15 years.
Announcing results of a survey that even those few committed individuals from the dark days of The Troubles could scarcely have believed possible, he said: "In financial performance terms, the industry now outperforms hotels in Dublin, one of the most dynamic markets in Europe over the past number of years.
"This can be regarded as a major transformation to an industry that was once considered the domain of only the brave or the foolhardy," he said.
He said that demand for hotel bedrooms outstripped supply in some areas like Belfast - a huge turnaround from when Mr Williamson featured on BBC TV news among the wreckage of the Europa Hotel - announcing his commitment to 'business as usual'.
The survey carried out by consultants ASM Horwath found that the increase in bed occupancy rates had been fuelled by overseas holidaymakers, short-break and business tourists.
The increase meant that hotels in Northern Ireland outperformed all regions in the Republic in financial terms.
Unsurprisingly, NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the findings.
She said the local hotel industry should maximize the contribution that tourism can make to the economy.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
14 February 2022
One Hundred Hotels Receive Support Payments Of Almost £2m
Almost £2 million has been paid out to 100 hotels in just over two weeks from the Department of Finance's Omicron Hospitality Payment. Finance Minister Conor Murphy met with representatives from the NI Hotels Federation and hoteliers at Armagh City Hotel.
One Hundred Hotels Receive Support Payments Of Almost £2m
Almost £2 million has been paid out to 100 hotels in just over two weeks from the Department of Finance's Omicron Hospitality Payment. Finance Minister Conor Murphy met with representatives from the NI Hotels Federation and hoteliers at Armagh City Hotel.
11 May 2015
Hastings Hotels Group Buys Windsor House
The Hastings Hotels Group has bought Ireland's tallest commercial building, Windsor House, for a reported £6.5 million. The group already owns the Europa Hotel, Culloden Estate and Spa and the Slieve Donard. The building is 80m tall and covers approximately 122,557 sq ft set over 23 floors.
Hastings Hotels Group Buys Windsor House
The Hastings Hotels Group has bought Ireland's tallest commercial building, Windsor House, for a reported £6.5 million. The group already owns the Europa Hotel, Culloden Estate and Spa and the Slieve Donard. The building is 80m tall and covers approximately 122,557 sq ft set over 23 floors.
27 October 2021
Belfast Makes Top 20 List Of Most Sustainable Destinations In The World
Belfast has made the Top 20 official list of sustainable destinations in the world, recognised as a leading city tourism destination committed to sustainable development and growth.
Belfast Makes Top 20 List Of Most Sustainable Destinations In The World
Belfast has made the Top 20 official list of sustainable destinations in the world, recognised as a leading city tourism destination committed to sustainable development and growth.
28 January 2022
Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Extended
The Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme will be extended to include hotels and certain sports clubs, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. Under the scheme, following Executive agreement, hotels will be eligible for a one-off grant between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on their rateable value.
Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Extended
The Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme will be extended to include hotels and certain sports clubs, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. Under the scheme, following Executive agreement, hotels will be eligible for a one-off grant between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on their rateable value.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
