NI tourism awards 'cruise' to success

Cruise North West and Da Vinci's Hotel have received tourism accolades at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast last night.

Cruise North West was awarded Area Initiative of the Year while Da Vinci's Hotel was awarded Hotel of the Year. Beech Hill House Hotel also received highly commended in the Marketing Excellence Category (small company) while the City Hotel received highly commended in the Hotel of the Year Category.

Described as the 'Oscars' of the Northern Ireland tourist and hospitality industry, the awards ceremony recognises the work done in incorporating best practice through partnership to improve the tourism product for the region.

Award organiser, Catherine O'Connor said the awards were an acknowledgement of the commitment and dedication shown by the sector to growing the city 's tourism offer.

"All nominees were an excellent indicator of what can be achieved through delivering innovative tourism initiatives," she said. "For the tourism sector to continue to expand we must encourage partnership and growth from all our industry providers. I am delighted that three hotels and the cruise sector were acknowledged as key contributors to the success of tourism in the region."

NITB Chief Executive, Alan Clarke added: "The Northern Ireland Tourism Awards is a very special event for the local industry.

"It is an opportunity to say 'well done' to the many people who provide quality products and services to visitors and who continually raise standards year after year.

"Only with the support and commitment of the local tourism industry can NITB wholeheartedly and confidently promote Northern Ireland," he concluded.

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