BELFAST'S now-famous Europa Hotel hosted a major celebration of tourism on Thursday - 40 years on from when it had the ignominious tag of most bombed hotel in the world.
In 1978, in the Troubles era when Northern Ireland was virtually on a par with Beirut as a tourist destination, the old NI Tourist Board held a bash in the Europa to recognise industry heroes of the day.
But fast forward four decades, and the extraordinary strides made in the sector were put under the spotlight last night at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards at the venue where they first began.
The special anniversary event, organised by Tourism NI in association with Diageo NI, was hosted by former BBC newsreader and Belfast-born Maxine Mawhinney.
The annual event has recognised hundreds of individuals and businesses over the years for their inspirational contribution to the tourism industry.
The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award went to the head of the Beannchor Group and Merchant Hotel owner Bill Wolsey, while a Tourism Hero Award went to Caitriona Lavery from Hastings Hotels, owners of the Europa.
The occasion was filled with poignancy, featuring pictured and video clips of the 1978 event, and a number of people who attended that inaugural and much less glittering affair were among the guests.
Winners included Titanic Belfast, which scooped the Best International Experience following its crowning as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, and the Museum of Free Derry, which lifted the Authentic NI Experience of the Year.
Derry City and Strabane District Council stepped up to the podium twice as its Slow Food Festival won the NI Food and Drink Experience of the Year and its renowned Halloween festival won Best NI Event or Festival Experience. The Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year title was awarded to Chris Wilson at Streamvale Open Farm.
In the ‘Best Stay’ accommodation categories, Bushmills Inn earned the best hotel award, Dungannon’s Spice Cottages lifted best self-catering and the Water’s Edge in Glenarm won the best guesthouse/B&B award.
Tourism NI chairman Terence Brannigan, said: “Northern Ireland’s attractiveness as a tourist destination has come a long way in the last four decades.
"When you compare today with 1978, the step changes in our industry cannot be missed nor underestimated. In the last six years in particular the sector has performed consistently well.
“Today we are Lonely Planet’s Best Region in the World to visit in 2018 and we are preparing to host The Open Championship in 2019, the most prestigious golf event on the planet.
“Tourism is now one of the largest, locally owned, internationally traded sectors of our economy, supporting 60,000 jobs either directly or indirectly and offering Northern Ireland one of its best opportunities for economic growth.
“Considering the challenges that the industry has faced over the last 40 years, the achievements have been nothing short of immense.”
Jorge Lopes, country director of Diageo NI, said: “These awards really served to highlight the significant strides the industry has made over the last four decades and Diageo is very proud to be a part of that journey.
"Congratulations to all the winners, indeed to everyone shortlisted for awards. I think we can feel extremely positive and excited about the future of tourism in Northern Ireland.”
The full list of winners is:
:: Authentic NI Experience of the Year (sponsored by Diageo NI) - The Museum of Free Derry. Highly commended: Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Commended: ‘Artisans at Work’, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. Commended: Belfast Traditional Music Trail, An Droichead.
:: Best International Experience (sponsored by Tourism Ireland) - Titanic Belfast. Highly commended: Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre.
:: Best Stay (guesthouse/B&B) - Water's Edge, Glenarm. Highly commended: Blackrock House B&B. Commended: Ardtara Country House.
:: Best Stay (hotel, sponsored by First Trust Bank) - Bushmills Inn. Highly commended: Merchant Hotel. Commended: Bullitt Hotel. Commended: Galgorm Resort and Spa.
:: Best Stay (self catering, sponsored by Hoseasons) - Spice Cottages. Highly commended: Blessingbourne Country Estate. Commended: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges. Commended: Ballygally Holiday Apartments.
:: Most Impactful Digital Innovation Award - Night Ride to Armagh: A Digital Transformation, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Highly commended: Motorhome Craic, Motorhome Parking Ireland. Commended: The MAC, Belfast.
:: NI Food & Drink Experience of the Year (sponsored by DWF) - Slow Food Festival, Derry City and Strabane District Council. Highly commended: Walled City Brewery. Commended: The Parson's Nose, Balloo Inns Limited.
:: Best International Event or Festival Experience (sponsored by Tourism Ireland) - Derry Halloween, Derry City and Strabane District Council. Highly commended: Northern Ireland Open, Galgorm Castle. Commended: Ulster Grand Prix, Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club.
:: Most Promising Authentic Event or Festival Experience - Armagh Georgian Festival 2017, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Highly commended: The Belfast Tattoo, XO Events. Commended: Giant's Causeway Coast Sportive, Outdoor Recreation NI.
:: Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Ulster University Business School) - Chris Wilson (Streamvale Open Farm). Highly commended: Melita Williams (Bespoke Northern Ireland). Commended: Sean McLaughlin (Fullerton Arms Guest House).
:: Tourism Heritage Property of the Year - Crumlin Road Gaol. Highly commended: Antrim Castle Gardens. Commended: Blessingbourne Manor and Country Estate.
:: Tourism Hero - Caitriona Lavery (Hastings Hotels).
:: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism - Bill Wolsey (Beannchor Group).
