DERRY'S renowned Hallowe'en festival, which attracts 100,000 people to the city each October, took one of the main honours at the 41st Northern Ireland Tourism Awards held for the first time in Armagh.
Famously named by USA Today as "the best Halloween destination in the world", and "done even better than the Americans", it scooped the best international experience accolade at the tourism industry's bash of the year, held in a Georgian-themed marquee in the grounds of the Archbishop’s Palace.
And it wasn't the only Derry winner last night, with the Bishop’s Gate Hotel earning the title of the north's best hotel stay.
It was also a good night for submissions from the host Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, which gained top step in the food & drink experience of the year for its Armagh Food and Cider Festival, while the Armagh Cider Company's tours programme was best authentic tour, trail or immersive experience.
In other categories, Gareth Murphy of We Are Vertigo in Belfast was named tourism entrepreneur of the year while Limavady’s family-friendly Stendhal Festival, which last year attracted more than 8,000 people to the Ballymully Cottage Farm on three days over August, lifted the most promising authentic event or festival experience prize.
National Museums NI was given an outstanding contribution to tourism award for its long-term commitment to growing the quality of the cultural and tourism offer while another special award went to Mark Rodgers of Dalriada Kingdom Tours, name 'tourism hero' for his exceptional efforts to support the widow of a man who tragically passed away while visiting Northern Ireland.
The awards have had a hugely positive impact on the tourism and hospitality sector, providing a benchmark for all businesses to aspire to and delivering significant benefits to shortlisted and winning businesses alike.
Tourism NI chairman Terence Brannigan said: “Tourism is now one of Northern Ireland’s most important export industries with almost three million people visiting from out of state, spending some £2.5 million per day and supporting 65,000 jobs”.
“The energy, commitment and enthusiasm of the hundreds of businesses, large and small, that make up our tourism eco-system is outstanding. They make us all proud of where we live and make Northern Ireland a better place in which to live.” Winners were:
:: Authentic experience of the year (site-based) sponsored by Diageo - Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council for Antrim Castle Gardens; highly commended - RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre; commended: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for Armagh Georgian Festival.
:: Authentic NI experience of the year (tour, trail or immersive) sponsored by Diageo - Armagh Cider Company for Tours of Armagh Cider; highly commended: Causeway Coast Foodie Tours for Catch and Sea Tour; also DC Tours, Belfast.
:: Best digital marketing campaign sponsored by ABC Council - W5 Dinosaur Encounter; highly commended: Nerve Centre in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council for Derry Halloween; commended: Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Seasonal Digital Marketing Campaign.
:: Best international experience of the year sponsored by Tourism Ireland - Derry City and Strabane District Council for 2018 Derry International Halloween Festival; highly commended: National Trust NI – Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience; commended: Odyssey International – Leaders of Excellence.
:: Best event or festival experience sponsored by Tourism Ireland - Balmoral Show, Royal Ulster Agricultural Society; highly commended: Féile an Phobail for Féile 30 – A Community Celebration of Global Culture; commended: Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival 2018.
:: Best use of digital technology to improve the visitor experience - Belfast City Council and Titanic Foundation for Hello Maritime Mile; highly commended: National Trust for introduction of online timed ticketing system for Carrick-a-Rede.
:: Most promising authentic event or festival experience - Stendhal Festival; highly commended: ABC Council for Armagh Food & Cider Festival; also Open House Festival, Bangor ; commended: Outdoor Recreation NI for Giants Causeway Coast Sportive.
:: Food & drink experience of the year sponsored by Yellow Door - ABC Council for Armagh Food & Cider Festival; highly commended: Hughes Craft Distillery/The StillHouse Moira for Distillery Gastropub and Gin School; commended: Country Lifestyle Exhibitions (CLE) for the Food Festival, Shane’s Castle.
:: NI tourism entrepreneur of the year sponsored by Ulster University - Gareth Murphy, We Are Vertigo; highly commended: Albert Titterington, Country Lifestyle Exhibitions; commended: Sean McLaughlin, Fullerton Arms; also the Wilson Family, Montalto Estate
:: Best guesthouse/B&B stay sponsored by ABC Council - Peartree Hill B&B; highly commended: Baytree Boutique B&B; commended: Rooms at Rue
:: Best hotel stay sponsored by Robb Brothers Wine Merchant - Bishop's Gate Hotel; highly commended: Bullitt Hotel; also Bushmills Inn.
:: Best self catering stay - Ballygally Holiday Apartments; highly commended: Larchfield Estate; commended: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges
:: Outstanding contribution to tourism sponsored by Diageo - National Museums Northern Ireland
:: Tourism Hero - Mark Rodgers, Dalriada Kingdom Tours.
