“It’s no exaggeration to say that people are the driving force behind any tourism industry and much of the appeal of Northern Ireland’s tourism offering is rightly attributed to the warmth and friendliness of our people.

One of Tourism NI’s core objectives is to encourage more people to consider whether they might be the sort of person who could forge a career in tourism. 

Tourism and hospitality employs close to 70,000 people across the region, accounting for something like one in 12 jobs in Northern Ireland. The sector is an inclusive employer, employing people of all ages and 70% of all jobs in the tourism sector located outside of Belfast. 

This wide reach gives the tourism industry in Northern Ireland a unique opportunity to address economic disparity in our urban and rural communities and to bring people
who have been outside the labour market back to a working environment that can offer flexibility and tangible career options. 

However, there is still a lack of understanding about the unique careers on offer in this vibrant, rewarding and accessible sector. To remedy this, Tourism NI has embarked on a number of initiatives to encourage as many people to see tourism as a career of choice. 

Careers in the tourism sector can offer flexible working and career progression – positive aspects which are often overlooked or perhaps unknown. 

We are also working with employers in the industry to help them offer training opportunities and career progression pathways to their existing employees.

Make It Here

The ‘Make It Here’ campaign, which has been running since last year, aims to shift perceptions of what it’s like to work in the Tourism & Hospitality industry, dispelling common misunderstandings and outlining the benefits of a career in this sector. 

The ‘Make It Here’ campaign emphasises the skills people might already have which make them suited to a career in the Tourism & Hospitality industry, whether they are entering the jobs market for the first time, considering a switch from another career, or keen to go back to part time employment after retirement.

The campaign has benefited employers in many ways with several tourism employers reporting an increase in the number of overall applications for roles as well as an improvement in the quality of those applicants overall.

The ‘Make It Here’ campaign also aimed to help employers with the retention of staff by reaffirming the great benefits of working in Tourism & Hospitality, such as structured training, pay progression and flexible hours.

Real change in perceptions and behaviour takes time and so the aim of ‘Make It Here’ is to move the dial on how the world at large views tourism and hospitality, which in turn will improve long-term recruitment and retention.

Wellbeing & Development Promise 

Another initiative which is helping change perceptions is the Hospitality and Tourism Industry ‘Wellbeing and Development Promise’, a UK wide initiative for the hospitality and tourism industry, to promote the wellbeing and development of staff within both sectors.

Tourism Northern Ireland, in partnership with Hospitality Ulster and the Hospitality and Tourism Skills network, is delivering the rollout of this Promise in Northern Ireland with a number of ‘People Potential’ workshops.

Employers are encouraged to sign up to the Wellbeing and Development Promise and commit to best practice in the workplace, but also in supporting people in the wider lives. The promise acts as a signpost for employers and staff to access support resources that will ultimately help those in the industry reach their full potential and enjoy long careers in the sector. 

Ensuring that team members feel well-supported and are being given development opportunities is fundamental to any successful business. But it is particularly vital for the hospitality sector, which is built on providing fantastic customer service, and an exciting, enjoyable experience. 

It is therefore critical that careers in tourism are attractive both for jobseekers and existing staff and that team members feel valued and supported within their workplace. 

A focus on wellbeing in the workplace has been proven to boost productivity and reduce absenteeism. Creating such environments will deliver a sense of belonging, positively impacting on the mental health of team members.

The Promise seeks to foster such an environment.

Training Opportunities

Tourism NI has supported two accredited training courses, run by Belfast Metropolitan College, which are designed to encourage people to ‘Get Into Tourism’ and upskill existing staff in the industry.

The ‘Get Into Tourism’ course is a free Level 2 City and Guilds accredited short course. It is focused on supporting individuals, who ordinarily would not have applied, to engage in and improve the skills profile of our local tourism workforce.

The course provides participants with the opportunity to explore pathways in the industry and ensure the best fit for their future career.

Participants also have the opportunity to visit some of Northern Ireland’s best tourism attractions and experiences as part of the course. 

Those who complete the course are awarded a Level 2 qualification in the Principles of Customer Service. The course is fully funded by Tourism NI.

The ‘Bighearted’ course is another course funded by Tourism NI and run by Belfast Metropolitan College, which provides participants with a Level 2 Award in ‘Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism’. 

It is aimed at those who already have experience in the sector and want to refresh their skills. Providing excellence in customer service is vital to deliver the giant welcome our visitors deserve ensuring they return again and again whilst also improving the reputation of our destination.

The ‘Bighearted’ course was fully subscribed, demonstrating the appetite of existing staff in the tourism sector to hone their skills. 

Tourism NI will continue to emphasise the opportunities and benefits available within the tourism sector to people of all ages and backgrounds. We will continue to provide support in upskilling those who are already enjoying fulfilling careers within Northern Ireland’s tourism industry. 

Through this work, Northern Ireland can continue to offer the best tourism experience to all who visit here and encourage them to keep coming back for more.

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“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do in tourism. Our industry of entrepreneurs and creatives across Northern Ireland are constantly creating new tourism experiences which aim to delight and inspire our visitors. Our innovative spirit was evident during the pandemic when tourism and hospitality was the first industry to close and the last to reopen. The industry innovated to create new survival techniques to make it through the pandemic’s uncharted waters with many moving operations online and creating virtual experiences. 

The tourism industry has always been driven by a quest for new experiences, destinations and ways to create amazing visitor experiences. However, in recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in innovation within the tourism sector and in order for it to grow beyond pre-pandemic levels and contribute to all aspects of society, the tourism industry needs to have innovation at its core if we are to compete on the world stage. 

There are a number of key areas in which businesses within the tourism industry can look to make innovative change for their betterment including advancements in technology, novel approaches in sustainability and immersive experiences. 

To support tourism businesses across Northern Ireland in adopting an innovation-first mindset, Tourism NI in partnership with Innovate NI held a series of interactive ‘Innovate Tourism’ workshops, demonstrating how innovation is key to business growth, whilst also increasing awareness and knowledge about what innovation means in a tourism context. Those in attendance at the workshops held across various towns and cities in NI, received an introduction to the Innovation Fundamentals of the Innovate NI Framework through immersive, hands-on activities and support to effectively recognise and capture innovative work and achieve innovative recognition. Designed to support businesses to embed innovation structures and processes in their businesses, the workshops gave access to experts and instilled an innovation process which took the business from ideation, to selection, to testing to commercialisation, saving money and making businesses more productive and sustainable in the long run.

We understand the need for practical and tangible takeaways and so those who attended the workshops acquired the skills and methods required to optimise their current offers and transform their business into an innovation powerhouse. A number of ideas have been generated from these sessions and are due to take part in a follow up session in March 2024, which will see them properly implemented within the business.

At Tourism NI, we will build on our culture of innovation and creativity to deliver positive change and will pursue excellence and world class ideas to make our industry more competitive and sustainable. Having a focus on innovation will increase incomes, improve productivity levels, provide opportunities for all our people, create a net zero economy and showcase our brilliance both locally and globally.”

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The young solo artist emerged victorious after a string of electrifying musical performances across a series of live heats to be crowned the ‘Battle of the Buskers’ Champion and win a prize package worth over £10,000. 

The prize package includes a residency at McEnaneys Bar, The Balmoral Hotel and Millies Public House & Kitchen, as well as a brand-new guitar and amp from Matchetts Music and an airtime package with Juice radio.

Sean Shivers, General Manager at McEnaneys Bar, said: “Our ‘Battle of The Buskers’ Competition was launched to shine a light on the local busking culture, and we’re thrilled to have given so many of Belfast’s most talented buskers a stage to showcase their incredible musical talent. 

“Hannah Cairns stood out with her exceptional talent, captivating the audience with every live performance. Her win is well-deserved, and we’re excited to offer her the opportunity to further showcase her skills with a residency at McEnaneys Bar and use it as a stepping stone to forge a successful music career.” 

The Battle of The Buskers competition is sponsored by McEnaneys Bar, Juice Radio, Anjo Wines and Diageo. 

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McKenna’s Bar, a well established public house in the Sailortown area of Belfast, which is close to the city centre and University of Ulster, Belfast campus has gone up for sale.

The trading premises provides a well fitted out two storey licensed premises being offered for sale due to retirement providing the buyer with a ready to go bar with fitted kitchen on the first floor.  The bar currently only provides wet sales.

As commercial property agents Osborne King state in their listing, ‘McKenna’s Bar is located on the corner of Garmoyle Street and Dock Street within the ‘Sailor Town’ area in Belfast, approximately one mile north of the city centre. Further the premises are located in close proximity to the new Ulster University, Belfast campus and the Cathedral Quarter. The location provides access to the Port of Belfast and benefits from good road links to the Westlink and M2 Motorway. The surrounding area comprises a mix of residential and commercial occupiers to include the American Bar and office occupiers in the nearby Clarendon Dock.’

‘The opportunity comprises a two-storey licensed premises of traditional construction with timber pitched roof covered in slate. Internally the ground floor provides a traditional public bar and to the rear a pool room with WC located off. Finishes include attractive timber bar servery, tiled/timber strip flooring, plastered/painted walls and ceilings with a range of light fittings.

The first floor provides a lounge bar/function room with timber bar servery, kitchen located to the rear and male and female WC’s. Finishes are similar to the ground floor including a dance floor next to the bar servery and dumb waiter serving the kitchen. Ancillary stores and keg room are located to the rear of the building and can be separately accessed via a rear alleyway.’

For further information visit osborneking.com

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Galgorm Resort has been recognised by two global platforms, winning an unprecedented six awards at the prestigious 2023 World Luxury Awards hosted in Athens, and securing the Best Destination Spa 2024 title at the recent Conde Nast Johansens Awards in London.

Galgorm’s internationally renowned retreat, has been widely commended for its sustained commitment to excellence and its outstanding achievement within the wider international luxury spa and wellness industry, adding a string of new awards to its growing collection.

Located in the heart of Northern Ireland and set within 450 acres of gardens and woodlands, Galgorm has carved out a reputation as one of the world’s premier, luxury destinations. Following investments worth more than £60 million since 2010, Galgorm is also investing a further £30 million to further expand and enhance its resort and spa facilities by 2027, embedding its position as a world-class international tourism destination of choice for travellers from across the globe.

Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations for Galgorm said: ‘We are thrilled to have enjoyed such incredible success on a global stage as part of the World Luxury Awards and the Conde Nast Johansens Awards in recognition of our significant investment, our focus on delivering an unrivalled customer experience, not least all the hard work and dedication of our talented team at Galgorm.

‘To receive recognition on this scale against such strong international competition not only reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in every area but also to enriching the tourism industry of Northern Ireland.’

Named Global Award Winner for Best Luxury Spa Resort, the resort’s famous Thermal Spa Village also took home the top awards for Best Luxury Resort and Best Luxury Spa Resort in Northern Europe; Best Luxury Riverside Resort across the continent; Best Luxury Resort Spa and Best Luxury Golf Resort Spa in the UK; and the Best Destination Spa 2024 at the Conde Nast Johansens Awards.

Committed to working towards a sustainable future, protecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint through its Green Policy 10-Point Plan, Galgorm recently became the first hotel in Northern Ireland to achieve gold in two top sustainability accolades from Green Tourism, in recognition of its “exceptional commitment to sustainable practices”, while earlier this year, the Galgorm Collection became the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official ‘Great Place to Work’ certification, based on exceptional employee experience.

Read more: Galgorm first NI hotel to achieve two gold awards from Green Tourism

Featured image: Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations for Galgorm with Emma Garrett & Kenneth During, Thermal Village Managers.

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