Hotplate - October 2023

HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE

DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S PACKED CONFERENCE. FULL DETAILS INSIDE.

PLUS TOURISM ECONOMICS

MEMBER NEWS

TIPS

AND MORE

HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW TO THE INDUSTRY’S BIGGEST CONFERENCE

P. 10-13

PROFESSIONAL HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT

NEW TWO-DAY COURSE FOR HOUSEKEEPERS

P. 25

MEMBER NEWS

Celebrations, openings and developments from members across the country.

P. 7, 9

TOURISM GROWING IMPACT

Andrew Webb with the economics of tourism and how we need to measure properly.

P. 21

SKILLED WORKFORCE

RISING STARS ANNOUNCED ON PAGE 5. THE RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS AT HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE 2023.

Roisin McKee from HATS talks about the ongoing work to address skills.

P. 15

LEGAL UPDATE

Tips, Temps and the Minimum Wage.

P. 26

HOTPLATE

Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

The McCune Building, 1 Shore Road

Belfast BT15 3PG

Tel: 028 9077 6635 Web: nihf.co.uk

Email: office@nihf.co.uk

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Ican hardly believe that it is a year since I became President of the Federation and it’s now halfway through my term of office. After a busy summer period, we are heading into Autumn, looking towards Christmas and the start of another year. Business patterns have changed and like many, we are finding it difficult to control wage percentages, predict significant food and beverage costs and adapt to an ever-shortening booking window.

The hotel industry continues to evolve, it has always been a dynamic sector which offers opportunities and challenges for us all. It is very frustrating that we still do not have an Executive in place to support our needs and help create a better business climate.

Hotels are very social places with people at their core. Looking after guests is what we are all about and looking after the people who do that is so important. It’s great to meet up with those in the industry and there’s nowhere better to do this than at Hospitality Exchange. This year’s event takes place on the 17th & 18th of October in the Crowne Plaza, Belfast and is marking its twenty-fourth birthday. I hope that you will be able to join

us over the course of the two days where we are focused on People and the Future.

We have a great keynote speaker, Zena Everett offering the Crazy Busy Cure. This may sound familiar to many of you whose days are filled with juggling emails, solving problems and becoming increasingly frustrated by the end of the day. The Rising Stars lunch will celebrate talent in the sector, and we’ll hear from young people on their career experiences.

Tourism is an important economic driver and we’ll be exploring its true value, looking at hotel performance, business sales and hearing about international opportunities. Sustainability is an integral part of the sectors future, “The Green Dream” looks at this topic and we’ll hear about how businesses are adopting climate friendly practices to ensure that the industry remains a sustainable one.

You can connect with colleagues, friends and trade partners, either in the networking lounge, lunches or in the conference. Of course, it wouldn’t be the same without a party to round things off and we’ve got a great Gala Ball planned for the Wednesday night. Given

EDDIE MCKEEVER President

that it’s been twenty-four years of Hospitality Exchange, this will be a 24-carat gold event and a golden opportunity to party the night away with a four course dinner, drinks reception plus DJ and dancing!

I hope to see you in October and would like to thank all our members, trade suppliers and sponsors for their continued support. The hotel industry has shown its resilience in tough times and backed this up with over £1bn of investment over the last twenty years. It’s the backbone of the tourism sector and I look forward to continuing to represent your interests for the rest of my presidency.

Just head to the Eventbrite Ticket page and enter this code to access the discounted Member rates. All Hotplate readers are eligible to use these rates.

17TH & 18TH OCTOBER 2023 CROWNE PLAzA BELFAST

MARKET SNAPSHOT

SUSTAINABILITY OF STRONG SUMMER STATISTICS STILL A CONCERN

A wash out of a summer did not appear to dampen hotel performance as the latest figures from STR evidence. They show occupancy for August in Northern Ireland coming in at 86.4%, the highest month to date in 2023. ADR remains healthy with a net figure of £104.94 year to date. Many hotels are reporting their best performance on record. A single month snapshot is always interesting (and in this instance good for morale). Year to date figures, annual comparisons and an examination of trends, however, give a more robust base upon which to reflect and react.

A question for the industry is how sustainable this is against a struggle for staff and soaring costs. The removal of the upper age limit on apprenticeships is good news but the sector needs to appeal to more people to maintain current levels of business. Staffing is still a major concern for those seeking to grow business.

Since May 2023, Northern Ireland hotels have performed well; the summer being the time to build reserves for the leaner months ahead. The business mix has been different with “staycations’ waning, international visitors returning and the corporate trade gaining pace.

Costs have been a real concern, fluctuating wildly and presenting a real challenge for setting realistic pricing levels for future contracts. This may impact upon growth. While occupancy is holding up and there is growth in room rates, inflation and a much higher cost base have

diminished profits. Occupancy figures are still less than those achieved in 2018 (74.7% YTD 2023 vs 75.4% YTD 2018).

The domestic tourism market has become more price sensitive but the Northern Ireland offering for the international visitor is still recognised not only as great value but as an authentic experience for the discerning traveller.

Looking closer, Belfast has held its own with good business across all sectors; the regional performance has seen occupancy being sacrificed for rate. Derry/Londonderry has achieved good growth across all KPIs with the addition of new rooms in the city not adversely affecting summer performance. Southwest Ulster has grown room rate but dropped occupancy and the resortled market of regional Northern Ireland just holding occupancy while excelling at growing ADR.

The slowing of the construction pipeline offers opportunities in the medium term with only one further opening in 2023 (Room2 with 175 rooms in Belfast) and limited new bedroom stock due in 2024. After that it is more difficult to predict a credible channel forecast; there are lots of plans for aparthotels, new product for the North Coast, extensions to existing product in Derry and Belfast but with inflated construction costs, pressure from interest rates and a cost-of-living crisis, projects may not come to fruition or could proceed along an entirely different path.

It’s good to see the sector performing well, covering costs, and yielding a fluid marketplace. Using data and having the right information in a timely manner will reap benefits in the long term. To date 2023, has been all about recalibrating business, managing costs, and clever use of personnel. It’s a juggling act that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

TRENDS

Last minute bookings across all sectors with on-the-day bookings rising. This continues to present a challenge in terms of staffing, provisioning, and resisting the temptation to discount to attract business.

Reduction in wedding guests and reports of a falling off in bookings for marriages and civil partnerships for 2024 but strong interest for 2025. Many hotels are reporting a greater spend per guest, but this is still not creating the same level of turnover as previously.

Changes in the restaurant and dining landscape with hotels experiencing strong food and beverage business driven by limited options in many destinations and reduced opening hours for non-accommodation food providers.

Staffing, always a challenge, has settled in some areas with businesses utilising overseas workers and exploring new working patterns to alleviate their specific business needs.

JANICE GAULT

Chief Executive

RISING STARS ANNOUNCED

NEW PARTNER, ULSTER BANK, COMES ON BOARD TO RECOGNISE INDUSTRY TALENT

The Federation is delighted to announce the lucky recipients of a Rising Star Award for 2023.

NIHF has teamed up with Ulster Bank for this competition aimed at discovering ‘Rising Stars’ within the hotel sector of Northern Ireland. This initiative aims to recognise and celebrate young, emerging talent who are making significant contributions to the hotel and hospitality industry.

Eddie McKeever, President of the NIHF, said: “The hotel industry’s success hinges on attracting, retaining, and engaging talented individuals in their early careers. In collaboration with Ulster Bank, I am thrilled to announce the recipients of the awards for 2023.

“Working in this industry can pave the way for a promising future, offering job satisfaction and attractive remuneration. The versatility of roles within a hospitality business enables individuals to develop a skillset conducive to strong career progression. I cannot wait to meet

this year’s exceptional lineup.”

Ulster Bank relationship director Richard Lusty added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the NIHF in their commendable efforts to uplift and empower hotels, tourism, and the hospitality sector. As the industry faces various challenges, the NIHF’s remarkable contributions have undeniably played a pivotal role in bolstering the tourism and hospitality landscape. We wholeheartedly support their mission and are committed to fostering a thriving environment for emerging talents and ensuring the continued success of this vital sector.”

The Rising Stars were nominated by their businesses. Each entry was assessed by independent judges to arrive at the ten stars awarded. The nominee and their nominator will each receive a complimentary ticket to the Award’s Lunch hosted by Pamela Ballantine at Hospitality Exchange on 17th October.

The Rising Stars in alphabetical company order:

1. Charlie Douglas, Assistant Bar & Restaurant Manager, AC Hotel by Marriott

2. Matthew McCabe, General Manager Firehouse Bar & Grill, Cassidy Hospitality Group

3. Gavin Magee, Trainee Duty Manager, Corr’s Corner Hotel

4. Edibela Prazeres, Deputy Head Housekeeper, Hilton Belfast

5. Chloe O’Toole, Front Office Manager, Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre

6. James Kenny, Trainee Manager, Killeavy Castle Estate

7. James Rocks, Reception Supervisor, Leonardo Hotel Belfast

8. Angela Baker, Duty Manager, The Harrison

9. Emily Doherty, Supervisor at the Cocktail Bar, The Merchant Hotel

10. Andrea Lamont, Spa Operations Manager, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat

ROOM2

»Opening on 16th October, room2 Belfast will have 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a café, tea room, meeting and event spaces, a fully-equipped gym, bar and a spacious lounge area.

NIHF MEMBER NEWS

HASTINGS HOTELS GROUP

Hastings Hotels has partnered with three luxury brands to curate an exceptional sleep experience. It comes as data released by Google Trends shows more people around the world searched about sleep this year than ever before. Available for suite guests in both of its five-star properties - the Culloden Estate and Spa and Grand Central Hotel.

The experience includes 100% cotton Irish bed linen provided by Vision Linens, handcrafted aromatherapy products from I AM SELF-CARE, an esteemed Irish wellbeing brand and a handcrafted 100% natural wool pillow from Galway company Woolow.

The hometel brand, room2, part of the UK’s Lamington Group, has announced Michelle Davis as Sales Consultant and Michelle Thomas as New Openings Manager for its latest launch, room2 Belfast. Set to open on 16th October 2023, it will be the first outside of England.

Michelle Davis worked as Sales Manager for over a decade at Ramada Encore in Belfast and has consulted for a variety of brands since.

Michelle Thomas has been promoted to New Openings Manager at Lamington Group, following her previous role as General Manager for five years at room2 Southampton.

SALTHOUSE HOTEL

The Lookout restaurant at The Salthouse in Ballycastle has served more than 3000 covers in the first month.

The Lookout, representing a substantial £1.5 million investment, has also brought about the creation of 30 new jobs, including 13 talented international staff members who have brought their expertise to the team.

Carl McGarrity, Director, said “The Lookout offers a relaxed dining alternative that complements our existing à la carte venue and provides our guests with the sustainable experience that is synonymous with The Salthouse culture.”

ROOM2

TITANIC HOTEL BELFAST

»With travellers from across the globe, Titanic hotel Belfast is celebrating its sixth birthday this month and reports that 66% of its total visitors are from outside Northern Ireland.

MORE MEMBER NEWS

KILLEAVY CASTLE ESTATE

Killeavy Castle Estate is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Hynds as the new General Manager. A native of Armagh, this appointment is a source of great pride for Matthew as he takes the helm of this remarkable venue in his home county.

A graduate in Event Management from Ulster University, Matthew’s journey has taken him through various management roles in prestigious hotels and 4 and 5-star properties across Ireland and Europe before joining Killeavy Castle Estate in the role of Operations Manager, where he spent two years overseeing operations before his promotion to General Manager.

BUSHMILLS INN

The Bushmills Inn is excited to welcome four legged furry friends with the introduction of dog friendly rooms so now the whole family can enjoy their stay.

There’s lots of fun for dogs to have along the Causeway Coast with stunning walking trails, as well as fabulous golden beaches and forests, making it the ideal base for your dog-friendly adventures.

HOSPITAITY EXCHANGE

The biggest hospitality industry conference is back in the Crowne Plaza this October.

Four pivotal themes will define this year’s event: People, Teams & Building Success; The Green Dream; The Global Marketplace; and The True Value of Tourism.

HIGHLIGHT

Interactive masterclass with Zena Everett on managing time, talent and energy. Including a free productivity book for people with no time for productivity books.

WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHT

Sarah Duignan from STR takes a dive into the world of statistics with all the latest hotel performance data, including a peek into what 2024 will bring.

ALSO FEATURING

17TH & 18TH OCTOBER 2023

CROWNE PLAzA BELFAST

TOM BOOTON

Behind the Pass with The Grill at the Dorchester’s Head Chef.

PLUS ALL THIS

YANNICK CABROL

EY economist on the green dreamtourism, a sustainable future.

STUART LAMINGTON

Sailing, sustainability and creating the room2 hometel brand.

Gen Z on how to attract people to industry, the Rising Stars, Savills’ marketplace report, ASM on the cost of a bedroom, Andrew Webb on the economic power of tourism, insights from TNI and Tourism Ireland, panel discussion on industry transformation, and all finished off with the Gala Ball, a 24 Carat evening!

2023 PROGRAMME

TUESDAY

Morning People Power

17TH OCTOBER - CROWNE PLAzA BELFAST

A new perspective on people including managing productivity and attracting new staff, compered by Tim Browne.

PEOPLE POWER 09.45 £ 45

School Days

Adrian Ellis from the Lowry Hotel on changing the industry image and engaging with schools.

Behind the Pass

The Grill at the Dorchester Head Chef, Tom Booton, on his journey from commis at 15 to heading up his own restaurant on Park Lane.

Gen Z Speaks

Hear what attracts young people to the industry - perspective, passion and purpose.

DISCOUNT CODE: HOTPLATE12

Crazy Busy Zena Everett presents a lively masterclass on managing time, talent and energy. Each delegate will receive a free book - The Crazy Busy Cure - a productivity book for people with no time for productivity books.

Supported by Calor, Invest NI, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

Afternoon

Rising Stars Lunch

Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, an initiative supported by Ulster Bank to recognise industry talent and reward stellar performance.

RISING STARS LUNCH 13.15 £ 60

A celebration of talent rising through the ranks; acknowledging their contribution to the future of the sector.

Supported by Ulster Bank, Bibendum Wines, Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality, Caffe Vergnano, Coca-Cola HBC NI and Sysco.

Mingle with Mocktails

Networking after lunch or before the AGM with some special mocktail creations.

MINGLE WITH MOCKTAILS 14.30 £ FREE

AGM

Just head to the Eventbrite Ticket page and enter this code to access the discounted Member rates. All Hotplate readers are eligible to use these rates.

WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER - CROWNE

Morning Business Breakfast

A hearty start to the day with a big breakfast and business update hosted by veteran journalist, Mark Simpson.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST 08.00 £ 35

Hotel Performance & Forecast

STR data, detail and a dive into the future with Sarah Duignan.

Sales & Valuation

Savills’ hotel specialist, Tom Barrett, looks at the current marketplace.

Hotel Costs

Adrian Patton, ASM, on the rising costs of a bedroom over the last ten years.

Supported by AIB Bank, ASM, Percipient, Savills, STR and Visit Belfast.

PLAzA BELFAST

Talking Tourism

Exploring the future: international trends, economic influence and sustainable growth.

TALKING TOURISM 10.30 £ 30

The True Value of Tourism Economist Andrew Webb delves into the economic power of tourism.

Tourism - A Transformative Sector Industry discussion on the sector’s robustness, diversification and global opportunities.

The Green Dream Yannick Cabrol from EY presents tourism: a sustainable future.

Tourism Outlook

Insights into the coming year from Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

Supported by Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

Annual General Meeting for NIHF Members takes place at 15.30.

AGM 15.30 £ FREE TO MEMBERS

Afternoon

Speaker Lunch

Stuart Godwin from the Lamington Group on sailing, sustainability and creating the room2 hometel brand.

Supported by McKees Solicitors, Drinksology, Coca-Cola HBC NI and Henderson Foodservice.

SPEAKER LUNCH 13.00 £ 60

Evening

The Gala Ball

Celebrating 24 years with a 24 Carat evening. A golden opportunity to wine, dine and dance the night away.

Supported by Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality, Classic Drinks, Coca-Cola HBC NI, Diageo, Linencare, Percipient and SBD Events.

GALA BALL 19.30 £ 120

Additional Support Bank of Ireland, Bunzl McLaughlin, Stephens Catering Equipment, Winterhalter. Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. Media Partner: Licensed and Catering News

THANKS

The companies below have kindly provided sponsorship and support to Hospitality Exchange.

SKILLED WORKFORCE

THE DRIVE CONTINUES TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN THE SECTOR

Over the last three years, the collaborative approach of the HATS Network has united industry employers, government and education providers to tackle the skills challenges and to grow a skilled and professional workforce.

We’re delighted to have received funding support from Invest NI, Tourism NI and the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation to build on the momentum achieved and to continue our work with partners to facilitate delivery of a new skills action plan. The plan will address critical issues around attractiveness of the sector as a career option, talent retention and will raise skills levels and professionalism.

Since May, we have worked with partners on a number of important activities that support the objectives of the plan:

• Joint participation with Springboard at the NI Schools and Careers Teachers Association Spring Conference to profile and build knowledge of the sector and its career development opportunities with careers teachers and advisers to better inform their work.

• A State of the Workforce Survey 2023 launched to provide a comprehensive picture of the new and emerging skills and workforce challenges facing the industry. The results will be shared over the coming

months and will form part of an evidence base to inform and further shape the HATS programme of work and to help employers across the sector to better address their workforce needs.

• Launch of Wellbeing and Development Promise: HATS partnered with Hospitality Ulster and Tourism NI in the launch of the UK Wellbeing and Development Promise on 27th June. The Promise replaces Our Hospitality and Tourism Commitment.

• Scoping an ‘employer of choice’ framework: To improve workplace attractiveness and drive employee engagement and retention, a working group has been established to progress a consultative exercise with employers and partners to reflect what an ‘employer of choice’ framework might contain and how businesses are best supported to deliver on the commitments of the Wellbeing Promise.

• Tourism Strategy Stakeholder Response submitted to the Department for the Economy reflecting the need for a robust skills element within the strategy and ensuring an approach to support better cohesion of skills and tourism policy that maximises relevance, visibility and impact of relevant skills solutions.

• Welcomed the announcement by the Department for the Economy to introduce All Age Apprenticeships – a move which will better support businesses in building the skills needed for growth. HATS has been instrumental in making the case to government to fund All Age Apprenticeships given the important role they play in addressing skills gaps and shortages and in increasing the diversity of our workforce.

• Secured sectoral presence at the annual School Summit NI taking place on the 2nd and 3rd October, sponsored by Tourism NI and NIHF: Industry volunteers from across the sector will bring the industry to life through interactive activity and talks to students to inspire potential future talent to consider a career in the industry.

Our focus for the year ahead will be progressing partnerships across industry, government and education to drive greater impact and deliver on our objectives to attract, build and retain a sustainable workforce.

To find out more about HATS and sign up for updates visit hatsnetwork.co.uk

The HATS network project is supported by Invest Northern Ireland under its Collaborative Growth Programme, Tourism Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

ROISIN MCKEE HATS Network

TANYA’S RETIREMENT

TANYA CATHCART RETIRES FROM FERMANAGH LAKELAND TOURISM

After over 30 years of dedicated service as the driving force behind Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Tanya Cathcart has decided to embark on a new adventure –retirement. Her departure as marks the end of an era for the tourism industry in this stunning region.

Throughout her tenure as Marketing Manager for Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Tanya’s unwavering passion and visionary leadership have transformed Fermanagh Lakelands into a thriving tourist destination.

Under her guidance, the region has seen unprecedented growth, drawing visitors from near and far to experience its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. One of Tanya’s greatest strengths is her ability to collaborate and build partnerships within the industry.

As Tanya Cathcart bids adieu to Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, her retirement is a testament to her dedication, vision, and tireless efforts.

ALL AGE APPRENTICESHIPS

EXTENSION OF APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME TO THOSE OF ANY AGE

The Department for the Economy has formally announced the introduction of All Age Apprenticeships which provide opportunities for more people to embark on a career of their choice.

This is in response to the Department’s recent budget consultation response which evidenced the importance of All Age

NEW BOARD

TOURISM NI BOARD MEMBERS

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has announced the appointment of five new Tourism NI Board Members. These include three hoteliers, Aileen Martin, Ciaran O’Neill and Colin Johnston.

Aileen Martin is a Director of Hastings Hotels, Chair of John Atcheson Trust and Rosie’s Trust and President of Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship. From November 2023 she will also be a Non-Executive Director of Action Cancer.

Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are critical to the delivery of the Department’s 10x Economic Vision.

The Department for the Economy will now fully fund the offthe-job training element of an apprenticeship under the ApprenticeshipsNI programme

regardless of age or sector. This will mean the potential to create an additional 1,700 apprenticeship opportunities per year for those aged 25 and above - this means more careers options open to people of all ages, supporting inclusion and a culture of lifelong learning.

Ciaran O’Neill is Managing Director at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel Derry. Ciaran provided a decade of service on the Board of Visit Derry, a 14year tenure on the Board of NIHF culminating in his role as President in 2016. He is Chair of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Network (HATs) and Chairperson of the Board of Governors at St Cecilia’s College.

Colin Johnston is Managing Director of the Galgorm Collection. He has managed the developments of Galgorm, Rabbit Hotel and the Old Inn. A former NIHF Board member, Colin was a founding member of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School. More recently Colin has been appointed onto the Board of Hospitality Ulster and is chair of the Careers & Skills Group.

INSPIRE, INNOVATE & LEAD

Bunzl McLaughlin's business ethos is firmly rooted in a blend of style and sustainability. As a dynamic supplier boasting an extensive inventory of over 10,000 product lines, they present customers with an expansive array of robust and economically viable crockery choices. This encompasses not only premier offerings from esteemed suppliers but also an impressive selection of in-house designed collections, such as the Crème and Artisan ranges.

The realm of tableware is notably swayed by transient trends, often mirroring the ever-evolving landscape of fashion. While the enduring allure of classic white remains steadfast, recent times have ushered in a shift toward a more organic aesthetic. This movement embraces collections adorned in understated natural tones like stone, grey, and green. This trend harmonizes seamlessly with the surge in demand for "greener" cuisine – a manifestation of customers' inclination towards vegan, vegetarian, and cleaner food alternatives. This shift is part of a post-pandemic trajectory that draws from nostalgic shapes and colour schemes, invoking a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Minimalistic Elegance

A table adorned with unadorned simplicity – think uncluttered surfaces, pristine white plates, and elegantly understated crockery. While this style has maintained its presence, the current twist involves a monochromatic rendition. This aesthetic evolution coincides with the rise of bowl-centric dining experiences, where communal platters seamlessly integrate with conventional plate options.

Barbie Time

In the year 2023, the spotlight is on pink. Whether attributed to the resurgence of Barbie-related cultural phenomena or the inherent warmth of the hue, pink has solidified its stance within the crockery realm. The hue, universally palatable and enlivening, injects a vibrant burst of colour to the tabletop. It complements food presentations, harmonizes with traditional shades, and introduces an invigorating departure from the norm. From gentle pastels to vivacious shades, pink's resurgence spans across various interior spaces, making it a prominent colour choice.

Floral Flourish

The renaissance of afternoon tea traditions has spurred a revival of floral patterns. The contemporary take on this trend employs muted tones coupled with timeless shapes. Floral elements serve as captivating accents, often chosen to either harmonize or deliberately contrast with other crockery pieces on the table, creating eye-catching focal points.

Organic Essence

While an established trend, the organic aesthetic has undergone expansion, branching out to include an extended palette of colours: harmonious shades of green, grey, and brown, as well as metallic options and even various hues of pink. Bowls and platters dominate this style, accommodating shared dining experiences while providing an elegant backdrop for Asian cuisine, pasta dishes, and more – enhancing both service and presentation.

Pop of Colour

Drawing inspiration from the 1970s, bold and lively shades are experiencing a revival, accompanied by innovative silhouettes. Modern iterations often incorporate softer glazes complemented by white trim, textured finishes for added intrigue, and a creative juxtaposition of coloured exteriors with neutral interior tones – or vice versa.

Selecting the right crockery constitutes a significant decision, with a plethora of options to navigate.

The rewards of pioneering trends are noteworthy, and within this diversified landscape, Bunzl McLaughlin strives to tailor the optimal solution for your unique business needs.

At present, five prominent trends are at the forefront:

Webb Wonders

Musings from the Federation’s Economic Advisor

TOURISM MUCH BIGGER THAN WE THOUGHT

Despite the challenging trading environment, tourism and hospitality acts as one of our key economic drivers. It provides jobs right across Northern Ireland, in places where there isn’t a lot else to provide employment, and it is a massive part of ‘the offer’ that has been pitched to investors to try and attract new jobs at the recent investment conference.

I don’t think we shout that loudly enough. Part of the reason for that is that the jobs are not regarded, in the language of policy makers, as ‘high value added’ in the way the likes of cyber security are.

So, how does the sector make government sit up and take better notice? As I wrote previously, size matters. As does having up to date information on what the sector is experiencing. That is why my team at Grant Thornton and I have spent the summer working through reams of data to build a new model that measures the value of tourism in a much broader sense than we currently understand it. We have also survey almost 200 hotel and hospitality operators to get a sentiment reading.

Our approach doesn’t count the spending by tourists. We know that was over a billion in 2019 but the data stops there so it is now too dated. Our approach takes

employment in the sector and builds from there.

Importantly, we don’t just take employment in the standard ‘hotels and accommodation’ but we have painstakingly assessed the proportion of other sectors of the economy that rely on tourism. For example, we calculate that 26% of taxi fares and 27% of retail performance are derived from tourism to name just two elements of the sector’s broader reach. There are two key benefits of doing this from my perspective. Firstly, employment data is way more up to date than tourism data and secondly, counting the sector this way results in a truer estimation of the influence of tourism over the economy.

We have also modelled the second round impacts of the sector via things like spend in supply chains and the spend in the economy of wages paid to tourism workers. All in all, for 2021 we estimate that the sector is worth 5% of the whole NI economy. That’s an economic impact of £2.3 billion. Jobs wise, 7% of all NI jobs, or 64,700 are related to the tourism sector.

Don’t forget that 2021 was not a full trading year so we expect this value to increase as we move through to data the reflects 12 months of trading.

For all the positivity that a number of this scale should create, it is really important to present the reality that the sector is still battling hard to recover from the pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis. I mentioned our sentiment survey. I am grateful to the almost 200 respondents who took the survey.

Looking at the hotel sector’s responses in the survey, there is a net optimism score of 30%, suggesting a cautious level of optimism. The caution likely comes from the top three challenges that the sector has identified – the cost of living, higher VAT than Ireland, and recruitment challenges.

None of those challenges will surprise you in the sector but now we know how much the sector is really worth to the economy, maybe our policy makers will sit up and take notice. One can hope.

ANDREW WEBB ON TOURISM’S GROWING IMPACT

26% OF TAXI FARES AND 27% OF RETAIL PERFORMANCE ARE DERIVED FROM TOURISM

FESTIVE CALM

Dedicated sales team

Product information and specifications

GREAT SERVICE

6 days a week delivery

Easy online ordering or

PERFECT PICKS FOR

Festive basics to innovative flair

Over 80 new

A LITTLE

EXTRA MAGIC Ideas and inspiration

Time and cost saving solutions

Christmas is served.

TOURISM NI EVENTS THIS AUTUMN

TNI HAS A NEW TED PROGRAMME AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT ROADSHOWS AND AN AUTUMN MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Tourism NI has a range of activities this Autumn. For more information on any of them, please visit tourismni.com.

Tourism Enterprise Development (TED) Programme

Business Finances Webinar Series

These webinars will examine how to organise your business taxes and explain the different ways you can fund your business.

How to organise your business taxes

Thursday 12th October 2023 - 10:00 - 11:00

How to fund your business

Thursday 19th October 2023 - 10:00 - 11:00

Experience Development Roadshows

HMS Caroline, Belfast - 11th October

Canal Court, Newry - 16th October

Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry - 23rd October

Marketing Campaign - Autumn 2023

These in-person sessions are open to all tourism businesses and will be of particular interest to those developing or delivering bookable visitor experiences within the context of our tourism brand, Northern IrelandEmbrace a Giant Spirit.

Tourism NI Autumn Marketing Campaign will drive consumer demand for you by encouraging visitors to Embrace a Giant Spirit in Northern Ireland. To explore what’s on offer, plan a quick getaway, try something new and enjoy memorable experiences.

Business Solutions Opportunities

AVEA Annual Conference - World Class Experiences: Local Authenticity

All Ireland Sustainability Awards

All year round there are different events that present an opportunity to engage with international trade.

The 2023 Annual Conference of AVEA, Ireland’s Association of Visitor Experiences & Attractions, will take place in Co Clare on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th October. The theme of the Conference is ‘World Class Experiences: Local Authenticity.’

Tourism Northern Ireland is delighted to sponsor the Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality Initiative of the Year at this year’s inaugural, All-Ireland Sustainability Awards held in partnership with Everun. Tickets are available for the Gala Evening on 5th October.

TED Programme Autumn Lunch and Learn Webinar Series

If you missed our Autumn Lunch and Learn webinar series you can find the recordings and supporting materials at tourismni.com/lunchlearn

PROFESSIONAL HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT

TWO-DAY COURSE

The NIHF, in conjunction with Hallmark Training, has created a two-day training programme for Supervisors, Managers and those who wish to progress to that level within the housekeeping department.

The programme will look at the overall role of the housekeeping department within a hotel, the importance of the supervision and will cover key areas in housekeeping including:

• Role & function of accommodation department

• Role of the supervisor/manager

• Prioritising tasks and goal setting

• Setting & managing standards

• Inspections

• Leadership & motivating your team

• Complaint handling

The content has been created with a practical approach designed to give the principles of management and supervision within the housekeeping/accommodation department, highlighting the importance of the department within a hotel operation and the skills required to manage operational staff.

PROFESSIONAL HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT

Grand Central Hotel

Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th November 2023

09.30 - 16.00 each day

This course costs £250 + VAT per person. Places are very limited to ensure that everyone benefits from the training.

This two-day course will be held in the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast. Accommodation is available in the hotel from £110 single and £135 double B&B. Contact us if you wish to book.

You can book the course online now via nihf. co.uk or call us on 028 9077 6635.

The course will be delivered by Mary Hall who has significant practical experience working directly in the tourism industry prior to and throughout her career in Fáilte Ireland.

Mary Hall, Hallmark Training

NORTHERN IRELAND HOTELS FEDERATION

TIPS, TEMPS AND THE MINIMUM WAGE

DON’T FALL FOUL OF GRATUITIES OR PAY AND CONDITIONS FOR AGENCY WORKERS

It is important for employers in the hotel sector to be aware of the best practice when dealing with tips and gratuities. One of the important issues when distributing tips is to ensure that employees are still being paid the National Minimum Wage where tips are being paid to employees as part of the pay packet. It is important that where tips are issued to staff, they are not included in the figure which makes up their wage for this purpose. Guidance has been published by the UK Government providing information on best practice for businesses when dealing with tips, service charges and gratuities.

Hoteliers should clearly display their policy relating to discretionary and mandatory service charge, gratuities, tips and cover on their premises. The policy should be accessible and should be visible to customers and clients prior to the point of purchase or choice.

Businesses in the hotel sector should also have in place a clear process to deal with any queries from customers on how and to whom all tips, etc are distributed. It is important to ensure that workers understand the business’ policy on tips, etc and can either confidently explain this to customers or direct them to further information. Businesses should also strive to reach agreement with workers on any change in policy.

Another important point for employers in the hotel sector to consider is the implications of agency workers. In some instances, agency staff may gain the same employment rights as persons employed directly by the business. If the employees have been in the same role with the same employer for 12 weeks, they will be entitled to the same basic working and employment conditions as permanent employees under the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011. This means that following this period of 12 weeks of employment, employers will need to ensure that they provide the following:

• Pay – basic pay based on an annual salary that an agency worker would have received if recruited directly (can be converted to hourly or daily rate). This should also include payments for shifts, risk payments for hazardous duties and unsociable hours. It also needs to include payment for annual leave, bonuses or commission for amount or quality of work by the individual and voucher or stamps which have monetary value and are not salary sacrifice schemes.

• Paid Holiday Leave of 5.6 weeks per year which can include Bank Holidays and Public Holidays.

• Working time entitlements – if enhanced working time entitlements are provided to employees which are directly employed, they must also be extended to agency workers following the 12-week period. This could include instances such as offering a lunch break which is longer than the statutory required break to staff.

• Full time off for pregnant agency workers to attend antenatal medical appointments and ante-natal classes when on assignment.

For further information on the legal services offered by McKees go to mckees-law.com or call 028 9023 2303.

17TH & 18TH OCTOBER 2023 - CROWNE PLAzA BELFAST

TUESDAY 17TH OCTOBER

TAKE THE CRAzY BUSY CURE

Interactive masterclass with Zena Everett on managing time, talent and energy. Including a free productivity book for people with no time for productivity books.

ALSO AT HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE THIS OCTOBER

Behind the Pass with Tom Booton, STR update, the true value of tourism and much much more.

hospitalityexchange.org.uk