DP Consultancy offers a wide range of services to companies in the industry – including strategy development, networking and lobbying, mentoring and crisis management, to name a few.

Diane has been working in the sector for more than 40 years, said: “The last 12 months have been extremely difficult for everyone involved in the travel and tourism sector, one of the hardest hit industries of our local economy,” said Diane.

“However, as the green shoots of positivity appear with the continued easing of lockdown restrictions, it’s now time for the industry to reset itself to prepare for the ‘restart’.

‘Resilient sector’

“Through DP Consultancy, I aim to use my 40 years’ experience, skills set and network of contacts to help organisations, groups or individuals who want to reset their objectives in the sector and plan for growth once again.”

Diane started her career with Railways in the 1970s and a has a wealth of experience across a number of industry sectors including ferry travel, destination marketing and strategic partnership development.

She also held a number of Board advisory positions including Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Partnership for over 15 years and in 2009 was awarded an OBE for her services to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.

She added: “The travel and tourism industry is one of the most dynamic, innovative and resilient sectors in our local economy and I am confident that DP Consultancy can help play a role in its recovery.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about DP Consultancy, or to arrange a ‘no obligation’ introductory chat can send an email to diane.tdpc@gmail.com or call 0044 7836 701794.

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Fourteen key routes at Belfast City Airport have been affected as the airline ceased trading, stranding many passengers and crew at destinations in Europe, although Scottish operator, Loganair, has said it will take over two of those routes between Aberdeen and Belfast and Inverness and Belfast.

In a letter to staff, Flybe boss Mark Anderson blamed the escalating Coronavirus crisis for a decline in recent bookings, forcing the airline to appoint administrators EY.

Belfast City Airport reports ‘negotiations with a number of carriers are already underway’ to seek alternative airlines to cover the substantial gap left by Flybe.

Airport chief executive, Brian Ambrose, said: ‘The airline was a significant economic driver for the region, carrying 1.6m passengers to and from Belfast in 2019.

‘I am confident that these well-established routes, coupled with our city centre location, and recent £15m investment in terminal facilities, will prove an attractive option to airlines.’

The regional airline reported difficulties in January but was saved from administration by the promise of a cash injection from new owners.

It was hoped that this would be further subsidised by a £100m loan from the government.

However, public anxiety around Coronavirus has had an effect is being blamed for ‘additional pressure on an already difficult situation’.

In response to the collapse of the Essex-based airline, a spokesperson from the UK government said: ‘Flybe’s financial difficulties were longstanding and well documented and pre-date the outbreak of COVID-19.

‘We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.

‘Through the reviews of regional connectivity and Airport Passenger Duty we have announced, we will bring forward recommendations to help ensure that the whole of the UK has the connections in place that people rely on.’

Belfast is among the top three airports in the UK to be affected by the airline’s collapse as 80 per cent of the airport’s routes were operated by Flybe.

Describing the demise of Flybe as ‘worrying’, the chief executive of the NI Hotels Federation, Janice Gault said that after a difficult 2019, no-one in the sector was under any illusions around the difficulties they were likely to face in 2020, including another rise in the national minimum wage and concerns about a dearth of skilled staff

‘Hotels are intrinsically linked to the growth of tourism and are a long-term investment. It is important to note that the sector has invested heavily over the last decade and has weathered storms before,’ she noted. ‘We are confident that the entire industry can bounce back from recent knock backs and continue to contribute much to the Northern Ireland economy. We simply need support to ensure that we can continue to trade and additional promotion to increase business once the situation improves.’

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The new-look departures lounge includes additional retailers, enhanced bars and restaurants, more seating and a new security search area which has reduced average queuing times to six minutes, says the airport’s management.

Joanne Deighan, commercial manager at Belfast City Airport, says the improvements will provide greater choice for travellers

“We listened to passenger feedback throughout the refurbishment journey and are confident that Belfast City Airport is one that Northern Ireland can be truly proud of,” she said recently.

Both the World Duty Free and WH Smith departure stores have undergone a full renovation and a new bar and restaurant called Artisan has been added. The new venue, which champions local produce and Northern Irish suppliers, has also created in an additional 15 jobs in the airport.

Charlotte Christiansen, director of business development for HMS Host, which operates the catering facilities at Belfast City Airport, said:

“The Artisan is a combination of both the old and new with traditional design elements that hark back to Belfast’s industrial and ship building heritage. Our food and beverage offerings are influenced by the North of Irelands Artisan producers and local suppliers also reflecting a modern Belfast’s vibrant restaurant culture.

The first new retailer to be announced was lifestyle and gift store, Born and Bred, an offshoot from the popular store, Studio Souk.

Belfast City Airport celebrated the launch of the new facilities with an exclusive reception for stakeholders, aimed at thanking key commercial partners and looking forward to the future of the business.

The work was carried out largely by H&J Martin Fit Out. Speaking on behalf of the firm, William Sproule, said:

“Our dedicated H&J Martin Fit Out team were thrilled to successfully complete the main elements of the refit works including the delivery of the fit out works at the World Duty Free. Our collaborative approach ensured the successful delivery of the project which will provide enhanced passenger experience at the airport for many years to come.”

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