£31 Million Invested In Tourism Recovery

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£31 Million Invested in Tourism Recovery and Future Growth

Tourism NI has highlighted early signs of success for its investment across a range of programmes, initiatives and campaigns to support the recovery of the tourism sector throughout Northern Ireland.

£31 million has been invested by the Department for the Economy and Tourism NI over the last two years in a Tourism Recovery Action Plan to provide a measure of protection for businesses and ensure that the tourism industry can meet the future needs of domestic and international visitors.

Recent research and analysis of available data suggests that closer to home markets, particularly the Republic of Ireland, are buoying tourism performance. It also points to growth in domestic staycations.

During June-September 2021 data collated by Tourism NI on spend in hotels, bars, eating places and attractions increased by one quarter compared to the same period in 2019.

Spend by Republic of Ireland residents more than doubled during the same time period, while domestic spend grew by almost one third and GB spend rose by 10%. Significant increases were evident for online reviews left by Republic of Ireland residents for NI accommodation establishments during June-December 2021, indicating a positive visitor experience.

Tourism NI’s consumer research indicates that approximately half of Republic of Ireland visitors to Northern Ireland during 2021, and the first two months of 2022, were first time leisure visitors. Results also suggest continued strong demand from Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland residents for a Northern Ireland trip in spring and summer this year. Hotel forward bookings paint a positive outlook, particularly for weekends. Tour operators also indicate strong order books going forward. It is anticipated that tourism performance will return to 2019 levels by 2023/24.

Commenting on recovery Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said;

“As we continue to emerge from the pandemic with increasing optimism we must all continue to work hard to maintain the increased numbers of close to home visitors who buoyed performance during the pandemic, and work to attract new and returning visitors from international markets. There is still potential for significant growth and we will rebuild step by step, market by market, starting close to home. We know that the fundamental desire to travel remains, that closer-to-home markets will recover first and that visiting friends and relatives, as well as destinations which are familiar, are the holidays most likely to be considered first.”

Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen said;

“The Tourism Recovery Action Plan has supported Tourism NI to roll out a number of major initiatives including a heavyweight consumer marketing campaign under the Northern Ireland - Embrace a Giant Spirit brand, bespoke business mentoring, increased support for the conference and events sector and a boosted sales programme in key markets in partnership with Tourism Ireland”.

“We will continue to offer support across the industry for a wide range of additional activity to ensure that businesses are best equipped to thrive. While the last two years have been painful for many, our partnerships across tourism and hospitality have deepened. It is this spirit of resilience and collaboration that will ensure we are ready to meet the many exciting opportunities ahead, not least the return of The Open to Portrush in 2025”.

Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Joanne Stuart added;

“The significant support provided by the Department and Tourism NI during the pandemic was critical to the survival of the tourism industry, which in effect lost twelve months trading through closure and traded under significant restrictions since the July 2020 reopening”.

“The importance of marketing campaigns to promote Northern Ireland as a destination in our home markets is clear to see. Support at this level is key and building on this investment will enable the tourism industry to play its part in rebuilding a strong regional economy and achieving the 10x economic vision.”

Pictured at Stormont Estate in Belfast (L-r) are John McGrillen, CEO Tourism NI, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons and Joanne Stuart, CEO NI Tourism Alliance.

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Hillsborough Castle at the heart of Royal Jubilee celebrations for 2022 season

With Spring in the air and gardens bursting into life, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has launched its 2022 programme, keeping the royal residence at the heart of Northern Ireland’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Reopening the doors to its spectacular interiors this April, Hillsborough Castle will reveal a treasure trove of memories from Her Majesty The Queen’s visits to the village over the past 70 years. To mark the Platinum Jubilee, the table in the State Dining Room will be exquisitely laid to reflect the State dinner held during the Queen’s first visit to the Castle in July 1953. The tableware will include the original dessert service used at the dinner, which was purchased especially for the visit, and took place just one month after the Coronation.

Stuart Campbell, Public Engagement Manager at Historic Royal Palaces explained; “This is a very special year for us all at Hillsborough Castle. Not only is the village officially celebrating its Royal status, but we are at the heart of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations which we can’t wait to share with our visitors.”

Stuart continued; “We will formally kick off the four-day extravaganza with an official gun salute from the Castle at 12noon on Thursday 2 June, giving our event all the pomp and ceremony this occasion deserves. Our weekend-long Jubilee Garden Party is inspired by those held by the Governor of Northern Ireland in the ‘50s, so the gardens will be dressed and dotted with vintage stalls and fairground rides, while the Castle’s state rooms will also be open for a chance to see that beautiful dining set used at that inaugural official Royal visit.”

The Jubilee Garden Party from the 2 – 5 June will be a vintage affair, with local businesses and creators setting up stalls on the lawns of the Castle, while traditional games can be played, and music will fill the air. Vintage cars will convoy through Royal Hillsborough to take pride of place in the Castle’s courtyard for the four-day event, while local food producers and vendors will keep guests well fed with a range of delicacies and treats.

Elsewhere in the gardens, a field of flowers will appear, in tribute to Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. Taking inspiration from Superbloom at the Tower of London - which will see 20 million seeds sown in the fortress’s historic moat – Hillsborough’s Platinum Jubilee floral tribute promises to delight visitors and pollinators alike.

Complementing this celebratory year will be an enhanced programme of family tours, entertainment and walks at the Castle and Gardens, kicking off with Great Rabbit Run-Around from 9 -24 April, which will see the Castle’s beautiful gardens overrun with rabbits, before the return of the popular Hillsborough Honey Fair in August.

Debuting in 2021, the Hillsborough Honey Fair brought together some of Northern Ireland’s top foodies in association with Food NI, honeybee experts, chefs and entertainers in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle for two days of food and honey heaven. The event returns this year with even more tasty treats for those with a sweet tooth, plus a focus on wellbeing, local food and drinks producers, and a wide range of informative and entertaining talks, workshops, demos and live music.

And as the leaves start to turn and the harvesting begins, Hillsborough’s Autumn schedule will see the Scarecrow Parade take watch of the Walled Garden and its unique heritage crops, while the raven’s circle overhead to herald the suitably spooky Wild Raven Walk events for Halloween.

Lighting up Christmas festivities, the Christmas at Hillsborough Light Trail will also return for December, running until the New Year with a magical spectacle, lighting up the Gardens like they’ve never been seen before.

Stuart finished; “From our Easter trail this spring, the Jubilee celebrations and Honey Fair in the summer, to our Christmas themed tours and programming to end the year, we have three packed seasons of events for visitors from across Northern Ireland to enjoy with us. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our members and new visitors to the Castle and Gardens, and can’t wait to celebrate in style.”

For more on Hillsborough Castle and Garden’s opening details, 2022 events and Jubilee celebrations, visit hrp.org.uk/ Hillsborough-castle.

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Healthcare Ireland acquires Priory Adult Care’s seven Northern Ireland homes

Healthcare Ireland (HCI), the Holywood, County Down headquartered care home operator, has completed the purchase of Priory Adult Care’s portfolio of seven Northern Ireland facilities.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, accelerates the group’s ambitious expansion plans and makes Healthcare Ireland the largest privately-owned care home group in Northern Ireland with some 24 sites and over 2,000 staff.

The new additions include seven homes across Northern Ireland: Carlingford Lodge Care Home in Warrenpoint, Bannview Care Home in Banbridge, Cairnmartin Care Home in Belfast, Bohill Residential Care Home in Coleraine, Ben Madigan Care Home in Newtownabbey, Blair House Care Home in Newtownards, and it has also purchased the learning disability facility at Bohill House Care Home in Coleraine which will be operated by Gold Healthcare, the specialist adult services division of HCI.

All the homes are purpose built. One of these was constructed by HCI for Priory Adult Care in 2011 and the purchase follows negotiations over the last 2.5 years.

Gilbert Yates, Chief Executive Officer of HCI, said: “At Healthcare Ireland, we are focused on providing the best possible care for each and every one of our residents and the seven new homes will allow us to bring our person centred approach to more and more people. We are proud to acquire this portfolio of high-quality care facilities which will dovetail perfectly with our range of homes across Northern Ireland.

“With the addition of these homes as well as a strong pipeline of new-build sites across Northern Ireland, we are further enhancing the provision of top quality living environments for our residents and we will continue to focus on building world class facilities going forward. We are deeply proud that with this latest purchase we are now one of the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the UK and can bring our person focused approach to more and more people, who deserve the very best care available.”

HCI has a further six new-build care home sites planned across Northern Ireland, with the next project in East Belfast and a fiveacre healthcare village also in the Greater Belfast area. The company has an excellent working relationship with the Healthcare Trusts across Northern Ireland, working in partnership to bring the highest quality of care possible to residents.

Gold Healthcare, the specialist adult services division of HCI has recently opened two new facilities in Belfast – Jason Court and Bradley Court – and is completing a further one in Ballymena at Braefield Court which is due to open over the summer.

HCI was founded by Gilbert Yates in 2015 and has grown both organically and acquisitively since then to become the biggest privately-owned care home provider in Northern Ireland. The clear focus is to continuously deliver and develop best-in-class care from specialist Gold Healthcare and Healthcare Ireland, in partnership with all Northern Ireland Trusts to facilitate individual requirements and create bespoke care packages and living environments.

Gilbert Yates, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Ireland