Hotplate - Mar 2026

See inside for PHOTOS FROM MEMBER LUNCH BUSINESS OUTLOOK SEMINAR

WINNERS ANNOUNCED WITH LOTS OF EVENT PHOTOS

Plus BUSINESS RATES FALLOUT | TOURISM NEWS | MEMBER NEWS

HOUSEKEEPING AWARDS

PHOTOS FROM THE AWARDS DINNER AND THE ASSESSMENT DAY.

P. 10-15

HOTPLATE

Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

The McCune Building, 1 Shore Road

Belfast BT15 3PG

Tel: 028 9077 6635 Web: nihf.co.uk

Email: office@nihf.co.uk

RECEPTIONIST AWARDS

»The closing date for entries has passed but we are very much looking forward to this year’s competition with thanks to Tourism Northern Ireland, Guestline, Net Affinity, Insight6 and Life Adventure Co.

MEMBER LUNCH

PHOTOS OF OUR FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR

P. 17

MEMBER NEWS

Celebrations and refurbishments from members across the country.

P. 6-7

BUSINESS OUTLOOK SEMINAR

The essential update on hotel performance.

P. 9

HIGHER-LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS

The answer for leadership development?

P. 25

STATUTORY SICK PAY CHANGES

Don’t miss the April deadline.

P. 30

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As we rapidly head into spring, there has certainly been plenty to discuss and much to do at NIHF headquarters to support and represent you, our members, and to help create a better business climate for all. REVAL2026 presented one of the greatest challenges since COVID-19, with the potential to result in a significant rise in rates bills for the hotel sector.

After considerable lobbying, supported by detailed industry intelligence outlining the impact of an unsustainable rates increase, the Finance Minister, John O’Dowd, made the brave decision to halt the implementation of REVAL2026 and revert to the previous valuations. The Federation will continue the conversation with the aim of securing a balanced and proportionate approach. Further evidence has been presented to both the Finance Committee and the Economy Committee to outline our position and press for a more equitable distribution of the rates burden. Sincere thanks must go to our Chief Executive and office team, who worked tirelessly to gather the critical information that helped secure this outcome.

In January, we hosted our first Member Lunch of the year at the Europa Hotel, where I outlined the Federation’s priorities for the months ahead, including lobbying for a stronger business environment and delivering practical industry initiatives and events. We were delighted to welcome our special guest, Francisco Macedo, whose wealth

of international experience and people-first leadership approach resonated deeply with the values of our industry. It was a strong turnout and a valuable opportunity for members to reconnect after the busy festive period.

Last week, we celebrated our exceptional Housekeepers at the Hilton Belfast, and what a night it was. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists across categories ranging from under 75 rooms to over 150 rooms, as well as to our individual entrants. Your hard work sets the benchmark for excellence and plays an integral role in the success of our local hotel and wider accommodation industry.

There is much more to look forward to in the NIHF calendar, including the Receptionist Awards, celebrating our outstanding frontof-house teams and culminating in a superb dinner on 13th May at the Armagh City Hotel. This will be followed by the ever-popular Business Outlook on 28th April at Clandeboye Lodge and, of course, our famous Golf Day, for which we are hopeful the umbrellas will have been firmly put away.

Investment in the sector remains strong, with approximately £150 million projected between 2026 and 2027. Interest continues to grow, with acquisitions remaining an important and often costeffective route to market. We look forward to welcoming The Bedford, Aloft and Residences, and wish them every success with their imminent openings.

Challenges remain around the cost of doing business. With significant legislative changes approaching in relation to Statutory Sick Pay, the National Living Wage, and paternity and parental leave, we will continue to support you by providing the most up-to-date information and guidance. Skills also remain high on the agenda, and we will continue to contribute to the Skills Action Plan to ensure the sector’s voice is clearly represented.

Spring always brings a sense of renewed energy and optimism, along with an enthusiasm to approach the year ahead with confidence — qualities that resonate strongly with the natural passion of our industry. To our Patrons, Past Presidents, Board, stakeholders and, of course, to you, our members, I wish you a prosperous and successful 2026.

REVAL2026 PAUSED

A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S HOTEL SECTOR

The decision by Finance Minister John O’Dowd to pause the implementation of REVAL2026 marks a significant and welcome intervention for Northern Ireland’s hotel and wider hospitality sector.

REVAL2026, published in January, confirmed sharp and unsustainable increases in Net Annual Values (NAVs) for hotels. Hotel NAVs were projected to rise from £13.8 million under REVAL2023 to around £25 million under REVAL2026—far beyond inflation—potentially increasing the sector’s share of the overall rates burden from 1% in 2019 to 3.4% in 2026.

Average valuation increases were approximately 63% above original 2023 levels. When combined with the removal of the pandemic-related discount, the total sectoral impact was estimated at around 84%, with indicative rates contributions for 2026–27 approaching £500,000 per week.

These increases were driven by a receipts and expenditure methodology that places significant emphasis on turnover. Under this

approach, NAV broadly equates to 5–6% of turnover across accommodation, food, beverage and other revenue streams. However, the model does not adequately reflect rising operating costs, including wage inflation, energy volatility, insurance, food input costs and debt servicing.

The removal of the 30% pandemic discount in a single step further intensified the pressure. Unlike England and Wales, where transitional relief and adjustments to rate poundage were introduced, Northern Ireland faced the prospect of absorbing the full increase immediately.

For many operators, this would have resulted in substantial rises in annual rates bills at a time when the sector continues to manage post-pandemic recovery, rising employment costs and VAT disparities with the Republic of Ireland.

Against this backdrop, the Minister’s decision to halt REVAL2026 and revert to previous valuations was both pragmatic and necessary.

RATE POUNDAGES

NI Councils have announced their respective increases in the district rate poundage, allowing us to estimate the NI 2026/2027 NonDomestic Rate Poundages for budgeting purposes. Thanks to RHM Commercial for providing this table. Members can calculate their rates by multiplying their existing discounted NAV by the poundage for their Council. 2026/2027 RATE POUNDAGES FINALISED

It provides immediate breathing space for businesses, protects cash flow ahead of the new financial year and prevents a sudden cost shock to a sector supporting more than 15,000 jobs.

However, the pause is not a permanent solution. NAV increases remain within the system and structural issues within the valuation methodology persist. The sector requires a more balanced framework that reflects both turnover and cost pressures, avoids penalising reinvestment and provides transitional support where increases are exceptional.

Rates will still rise in the coming year, with average poundage increasing by 3.24% in 2026–27. For the hotel sector, the pause represents welcome relief—but also an opportunity to secure lasting reform and a more sustainable rates framework for the future.

FEDERATION GOLF DAY

TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2026

LOUGH ERNE RESORT & SPA

We are delighted to announce that the NIHF Annual Golf Day will be held at the Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort & Spa followed by dinner in the hotel on Tuesday 19th May 2026.

It’s a great day out and we’ll have some amazing prizes on the day with our Super 18 Prize Draw!

The Texas Scramble competition will feature teams of four and a range of fun prizes. There will be a two tee start from 12.30 pm and golf will be followed by dinner and prize-giving in the hotel restaurant.

If you want to Stay and Play, we have deal with the hotel for £130 single B&B or £160 twin. Please quote NIHF GOLF DAY when booking to avail of this rate directly with the hotel.

Tickets are only £420 (plus VAT) per team of 4 and include:

18 hole golf competition, bacon rolls & refreshments before tee-off, goodie bags, dinner, and complimentary drinks throughout the day.

If you don’t have a team of four, just contact us and we will make up a team for you.

Contact the office on 028 9077 6635 or email anna@nihf.co.uk to book your team.

Supported by Additional support

CULLODEN ESTATE &

SPA

»The Culloden Estate & Spa has announced the completion of a £500,000 investment in its guestrooms

NIHF MEMBER NEWS

THE MALONE

Following an 18-month, multimillion pound investment, the Macklin family has announced the official rebrand and total transformation of the property. Closed to the public to complete the final phase of works, the hotel officially reopened in early February 2026 as The Malone, a high-end luxury boutique destination.

The extensive redevelopment has reimagined the 103-bedroom Victorian townhouse into a fourstar boutique hotel that blends its 19th-century architectural charm

with sleek, contemporary interiors. The transformation has already garnered national acclaim, with The Times recently naming The Malone as one of the ‘24 best new hotels in the UK for the year ahead.’

The transformation extends across the property, including redesigned guest rooms, bar, restaurant, lounge and reception lobby. It includes new art installations celebrating Belfast’s heritage. The hotel has partnered with Focus Hotels to ensure service levels match the elevated surroundings.

AC Hotel Belfast is celebrating its association with renowned chef Jean-Christophe Novelli as he appears in ITV2 and ITVX’s brandnew reality format, The Heat.

Hosted by Olivia Attwood, The Heat sees ten ambitious chefs travel to Barcelona to work under awardwinning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, as he opens an exclusive restaurant and mentors the next generation of culinary talent.

As the home of Novelli at City Quays, AC Hotel Belfast will mark the show’s broadcast run with subtle Heat-inspired touches, bringing elements of the show’s energy and creativity to the guest dining experience.

BALLYGALLY CASTLE

Ballygally Castle has concluded its 400th anniversary celebrations with the planting of a commemorative time capsule on the historic castle grounds, marking the final milestone in a year-long programme which honoured heritage, hospitality and community.

The time capsule brings together a curated collection of items that reflect both the hotel’s past and present. Among the contents are a specially brewed anniversary beer and commemorative candle, both created to mark the 400year milestone; a Games of Thrones booklet, recognising the hotel’s connection to the globally acclaimed television series, which includes the iconic Game of Thrones Door, carved from wood salvaged from trees that feel at the Dark Hedges and now permanently displayed in the hotel’s Garden Restaurant; and the last Hastings Hotels duck ever produced.

The Fitzwilliam has appointed Martin Mangan as General Manager, bringing extensive senior leadership experience from some of Ireland’s most distinguished luxury hotels and resorts.

The Bedford Hotel is now open for bookings from May 2026. The project represents a multi-millionpound private investment in the city centre, bringing one of Belfast’s most distinctive vacant buildings back into productive use and reinforcing confidence in the local hospitality and tourism sectors.

Following an 18-month redevelopment, the Grade B1 listed Scottish Mutual Building – a Scottish Baronial-style property dating back to 1904 – has been transformed into an 82-bedroom hotel.

The hotel will feature a destination restaurant and café bar led by Executive Head Chef Noel McMeel, whose appointment strengthens Belfast’s growing reputation as a food destination.

The hotel has also appointed Ciaran O’Neill as Managing Director. A veteran hotelier, Past President of NIHF and Owner/Managing Director of the Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry~Londonderry, Ciaran brings a wealth of expertise in luxury hospitality and a proven record of blending heritage preservation with contemporary service.

His appointment underscores RFM Hotels’ commitment to creating a boutique experience that is both personal and memorable.

Ciaran will oversee both The Bedford Hotel and Bishop’s Gate Hotel, working closely with their respective General Managers to maintain each property’s distinctive character while delivering operational excellence.

Aidan Murtagh has retired from Holiday Inn Express Belfast and Conor Black has been appointed in the role of General Manager. Aidan retires after a lifetime in

hotels, having worked for Hastings, Mooney Hotel Group, various positions with Andras House, La Mon Hotel and more. We wish him well.

Business Outlook Seminar

CLANdEBOyE LOdgE HOTEL

TUESdAy

28TH APRIL 2026

9.15am to 2.00pm including networking lunch

The essential update on hotel performance.

Including market intelligence and an industry debate. With expert insight on supply and demand, workforce trends and the impact of sporting events, the session will help inform business planning for the year ahead.

Join Mark Simpson as we explore the trends and opportunities shaping the hotel sector.

See back cover for more details.

Rewarding the best housekeeping teams.

HOUSEKEEPING WINNERS

HILTON BELFAST AWARDS DINNER TO RECOGNISE ALL HOUSEKEEPERS

The Federation is celebrating the success of its 15th annual Housekeeping Awards, recognising the outstanding contribution of housekeeping teams and individuals across Northern Ireland’s hotel and hospitality sector.

Vicky Green, President of NIHF, said: “Housekeeping teams are at the heart of the hotel experience, yet their work often takes place behind the scenes. These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people whose standards, pride and attention to detail help define the industry. As the Housekeeping Awards marks its 15th year, NIHF is proud to continue championing excellence within this essential profession.”

The assessment day took place at room2 Belfast Hometel, where participants demonstrated their expertise and commitment to excellence. Winners were announced at a prestigious awards

dinner held on Wednesday 4th March 2026 at Hilton Belfast. Hosted by Donna Traynor, the event welcomed leading industry professionals and supporters for an evening of celebration and recognition. In fact, it was a record-breaking dinner with more attendees than any other year.

Winners:

Hotels with under 75 rooms: Winner: Tara Lodge, Belfast Runner-up: Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen

Third place: The Harrison, Belfast

Hotels with 75-149 rooms: Winner: DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Runner-up: Canal Court Hotel, Newry

Third Place: DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square

Hotels with 150 rooms and over: Winner: AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast Runner-up: Holiday Inn, Belfast City

Centre

Third place: Maldron Hotel Belfast City

Housekeeper of the Year: Winner: Zach Milligan, voco Belfast Runner-up: Michele Nolan, Grand Central Hotel

Third place: Barbora Palackova, Maldron Hotel Belfast City

The awards dinner featured a drinks reception, a three-course meal and entertainment, celebrating the dedication, professionalism and achievements of housekeeping teams across the region.

This year’s competition was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland. Category sponsors included Bunzl Rafferty Guest Amenities and Linencare, both committed to recognising and advancing excellence in housekeeping standards.

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MEMBER LUNCH

‘PEOPLE-FIRST’ GROWTH MESSAGE AT TRADE LUNCH

Members from across Northern Ireland’s hotel sector gathered at the Europa Hotel for the latest Federation Member Lunch, where leadership culture, talent development and sustainable growth were key themes.

Held in the Penthouse Suite, the event offered members an opportunity to reconnect after the busy festive season, discuss current trading conditions and share operational insights. The lunch featured a conversation-led session chaired by industry expert Tim Browne, with contributions from NIHF President Vicky Green and guest speaker Francisco Macedo, Chief Operating Officer of Ocubis.

With more than 25 years’

international experience across the United States, South America, Africa, Europe and the UK, Macedo is recognised for his expertise in complex hotel openings, acquisitions and brand repositioning in both established and emerging tourism markets. In his current role, he oversees Wilderness Reserve and Pavilion Clubs, focusing on building high-performing teams and service cultures that deliver strong commercial results alongside exceptional guest experiences.

During the discussion, Macedo highlighted the central role people play in business performance, noting that engaged teams, clear purpose and a strong sense of belonging are key to delivering exceptional guest experiences and long-term success.

The conversation also explored leading through change, tackling recruitment and retention challenges, and investing in future leaders to support a competitive and resilient tourism economy.

Vicky Green noted that events such as the Member Lunch allow operators to step back from day-today pressures, gain global insights and apply practical ideas within their own businesses.

The Member Lunch forms part of NIHF’s ongoing programme of engagement events, bringing together operators, suppliers and industry leaders to share knowledge and strengthen Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector.

ARE YOU USING A LEGALLY COMPLIANT RECRUITMENT AGENCY?

DO YOU KNOW THE RISKS TO YOUR HOTEL IF YOU’RE NOT?

Partnering with a non-compliant agency can expose your hotel to serious penalties, including:

Fines and financial penalties

Reputational damage

Legal liability

Operational disruption

WHY WORK WITH EXCEL RECRUITMENT?

Full legal & regulatory compliance

Dedicated quality control department

Verification of Right to Work, references, qualifications & certificates

AccessNI checks

ISO 9001 & REC Accreditation

CONTACT

Damien Davis

Branch Manager

Over 23 years of recruitment expertise

Operating 365 days a year

Award-winning hospitality agency

Offering temporary, contract, emergency & permanent recruitment solutions

Island-wide coverage

Weekend & out of hours services provided

Bespoke CRM & accounts system

Dedicated training division

WORKFORCE PLANNING

BUILDING CAPABILITY WITH SIX STEPS

In a sector facing persistent recruitment challenges, changing workforce expectations and rising cost pressures, aligning workforce decisions with business performance is essential to sustaining both service quality and financial outcomes.

Recognising the need for a more connected, organisation-wide approach to workforce planning, McKeever Hotels – a family-run group operating seven hotels across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – engaged with the Six Steps Strategic Workforce Planning Programme to strengthen capability across the business.

The Six Steps programme

Based on the Six Steps Methodology to Integrated Workforce Planning, the programme brings together HR and operational leaders to build inhouse workforce planning capability through a structured process. Participants examine business demand, define required roles and skills, assess current workforce capability and develop targeted actions.

Delivered over several weeks in focused modules, the programme combines structured workbooks with practical tools that enable learning to be embedded between sessions. Each organisation completes the process with a tailored workforce plan aligned to its division or site priorities.

McKeever Hotels selected a cross-functional group of HR and operational leaders, including heads of department across front of house, kitchen and housekeeping. This ensured workforce planning was considered through both strategic and operational lenses,

supporting more informed and evidence-based decisions.

From data visibility to deeper insight

The business already had access to extensive workforce data. Managers monitored wage percentages, weekly hours against sales and operational performance as part of routine oversight. However, there was less clarity on how these measures connected or how they could shape longer-term workforce decisions.

Through the programme, managers began interpreting data differently. By linking business demand with workforce availability, they gained clearer insight into how wage spend, recruitment patterns and operational performance interact. Confidence in analysing and applying workforce data increased across the leadership team.

From reactive replacement to workforce design

Recruitment conversations began to shift. Rather than defaulting to like-for-like replacement, leaders examined how hiring decisions influence cost and performance over time. They considered workforce demographics, future risk and local labour market trends that could affect talent supply.

Managers started exploring whether roles should evolve, whether internal progression was possible and how current decisions could strengthen long-term capability. The focus moved beyond filling vacancies towards deliberately designing a workforce aligned to business needs. This approach supports retention, internal mobility, employee motivation and organisational resilience.

Broadening ownership beyond HR

Engagement with the Six Steps programme has changed how workforce planning is perceived internally. While data had always been available, the structured framework clarified accountability and encouraged shared responsibility across HR, finance and operational leadership.

Bringing these perspectives together strengthened cross-departmental dialogue. Operational leaders developed a clearer understanding of how workforce decisions connect to wider performance, while HR gained deeper insight into operational pressures.

Managers reported increased confidence in interpreting their own data and making informed decisions, reducing reliance on central HR for routine queries.

Kristine Graham, Group HR Manager at McKeever Hotels, said the greatest impact was embedding workforce planning beyond HR and into the wider business. Managers now connect workforce data to operational performance and think differently about recruitment and workforce design, with a focus on building long-term capability.

For organisations facing similar pressures, a structured and integrated approach to workforce planning offers a practical route to improving resilience, Visit people1st. co.uk/six-steps-methodology/

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SPRING MARKETING CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY

TOURISM NI SPRING MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Tourism Northern Ireland is currently delivering its Spring Marketing Campaign from February until the end of March across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The campaign includes TV, Outdoor Advertising, Broadcast Video On Demand, Radio, Press, Social & Digital, Email, PR and Influencer activity to encourage visitors to choose Northern Ireland this Spring.

The campaign is showcasing a broad range of attractions, experiences and events as well as ideas on where to stay. It is building knowledge of what Northern Ireland has to offer and deliver clear and compelling reasons to book a short break.

Focusing on two priority segments, Active Maximisers for ROI and Aspiring Families for NI. ROI’s Indulgent Relaxers & NI’s Social Instagrammers, also feature as secondary audiences on selected channels. Industry can find out

more by visiting www. tourismnmi.com/ marketingcampaign to download the toolkit, access exclusive discounted media rates and promote their own offers alongside Tourism NI activity.

In addition to this, our marketing campaign showcases County Fermanagh as a destination “where giant adventures flow” and communicates to potential visitors that the county is now part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Running from 16th February for 6 weeks, it provides inspiration for visitors by highlighting the stunning lakes, ancient waterways, quality accommodation, and the giant tastes that await them.

to action to encourage visitors to book a short break in County Fermanagh. The campaign is underpinned by a series of offers recruited from the County Fermanagh tourism industry. Find out more at www.tourismni.com/ irelandshiddenheartlands

It is accompanied by a strong call

NEW DISCOVER NORTHERN IRELAND WEBSITE NOW LIVE

We are delighted to have launched a new look Discovernorthernireland. com, with its objective to ensure that content and products were as “discoverable” as possible. This has been enabled through an improved navigation, search and filter options, and a redesigned homepage to act as a series of sectional windows and signposts to the content and products available. Aligned to this objective is also the inclusion of an AI powered chatbot. With AI search summaries now a permanent fixture on search engines, we are harnessing this technology and user behaviour to inspire and answer questions from visitors to Discovernorthernireland.com.

As well as a refreshed brand aligned design, with have integrated our social media content, as well as user generated content from visitors. To enable seamless trip planning, a sustainability first journey planner is also included. It informs visitors of sustainable methods available and the comparable environmental impact of each option. We hope this will bring huge benefits to both the tourism industry and our visitors, whilst encouraging increased dwell time and return visits to the site. Check out the new look site at www.discovernorthernireland.com

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AMBITIOUS PLANS

ALICE

EXECUTIVE OF TOURISM IRELAND, SETS OUT AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR 2026

We kicked off 2026 with the launch of our international marketing plans to promote Northern Ireland overseas for the year ahead. We were delighted to welcome Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and hundreds of tourism industry leaders from across Northern Ireland as we outlined a comprehensive programme of promotional activity across 15 key overseas markets. Tourism Ireland believes that, with the right strategic support, overseas tourism revenue to Northern Ireland can grow to £1.3 billion annually by 2035.

At the launch, we unveiled our new global advertising campaign, Ireland Goes Beyond. Now live in key overseas markets, the campaign celebrates how Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland exceed visitors’ expectations, creating memorable connections with the people, landscapes and culture that make a trip here so distinctive.

Throughout the year, we will champion Northern Ireland’s iconic scenery, rich culture and history, vibrant festivals and events, and outstanding food offering. Strategic marketing activity and partnerships will be used to attract visitors from a diverse range of markets. Great Britain and the United States remain fundamentally important, but we are also implementing a

new strategy to grow visitors from Mainland Europe, investing in growth markets such as Canada and building long-term partnerships in China and India.

A number of new broadcast and streaming travel programmes supported by Tourism Ireland will showcase Northern Ireland to millions of viewers worldwide. These include series featuring Martin and Roman Kemp, Dermot O’Leary and Kevin McCloud. New thematic focuses for 2026 include culinary tourism, activity tourism and encouraging year-round travel, while also inspiring visitors to explore beyond gateway cities into our wider regions.

Strengthening partnerships with the travel trade is also a major priority. In January, 18 tourism businesses from Northern Ireland – including hotels, visitor attractions and regional tourism organisations –joined us at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, our first promotion of the year in Scotland. The event provided valuable opportunities to connect with influential GB tour operators and travel agents.

In February, the Coach Tourism Association hosted its annual convention in Derry-Londonderry for the first time, bringing around 170 businesses from across the UK

coach tourism sector. Tourism Ireland worked with Tourism NI, Visit Derry and Fáilte Ireland to secure this important event. A highlight was the ‘CTA Meet the Buyer’ workshop, where buyers held more than 1,200 one-to-one meetings with tourism businesses from across the island, helping to develop new itineraries and partnerships.

In 2026, Tourism Ireland will support more than 333 tourism SMEs promoting Northern Ireland internationally, connecting them with overseas travel professionals and facilitating thousands of commercial meetings.

We look forward to strengthening relationships with our hotel and industry partners throughout the year, ensuring Northern Ireland remains front of mind in global itineraries and continues to drive revenue, longer stays and greater regional spread.

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HIGHER-LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS

A PRACTICAL WORKFORCE SOLUTION FOR HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM EMPLOYERS

Higher-level apprenticeships are often highlighted as a solution to skills shortages and leadership development, but for employers and employees it is important to understand how they work in practice.

For the hospitality and tourism sector, this issue is particularly relevant. Recruitment and retention challenges continue across the industry, alongside skills gaps at supervisory and management level. Developing talent internally is therefore becoming increasingly important for many businesses.

During a recent webinar hosted by Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) in partnership with Tourism NI to mark Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week, employers, learners and an apprenticeship provider shared their experiences of how higher-level apprenticeships can help address these workforce challenges in a practical and longterm way.

Employers highlighted the difficulty of recruiting experienced people into management and leadership roles and emphasised the value of building capability from within their existing teams. Caroline Renouf of Hastings Hotels explained that higher-level apprenticeships are most effective when they are aligned with genuine business needs and clear progression opportunities, rather than being viewed as an additional training programme.

Higher-level apprenticeships typically operate at levels 4–7 and are designed for employees already working as supervisors, department managers or operational leaders. Learning is closely connected to the workplace, allowing participants to apply theory directly to real challenges such as managing teams,

improving service standards, analysing performance or leading change during busy trading periods. As Dr Nikki McQuillan of Ulster University noted, the programmes help individuals deepen their understanding of their role and strengthen their professional capability.

The webinar also addressed common concerns among employers about time commitments and operational impact. A frequent misconception is that apprentices must be released one day per week for an entire year. In practice, the Level 6 programme requires release for 12 weeks in each of two semesters, making the commitment more manageable for businesses.

During this time, apprentices continue to be paid by their employer while training costs are funded by the Department for the Economy. This model allows businesses to invest in leadership and higher-level skills while maintaining day-to-day operational value.

Employers also highlighted the wider benefits. Denise Kennedy of Titanic Belfast noted that higher-level apprenticeships can play an important role in developing, retaining and motivating staff. They can also strengthen an employer’s brand by demonstrating a commitment to long-term career development.

Speakers acknowledged that apprenticeships can initially appear complex, but support is available to help employers understand the process and take practical next steps.

To view the webinar, visit nitourismalliance. com. For further information on higher-level apprenticeships, visit nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ higher-level-

Tomorrow’s success starts today

Crowe’s specialist hospitality, tourism and leisure advisory team provide support in financial, operational and strategic planning to business owners, financiers and other industry stakeholders.

Our multi-disciplinary group combines extensive strategic planning, hotel operations, corporate finance, marketing, audit and taxation expertise.

Talk to us today

Aiden Murphy

Partner, Corporate Finance

T: +353 1 448 2214

E: aiden.murphy@crowe.ie

Audit / Tax / Advisory

Naoise Cosgrove

Managing Partner

T: +353 1 448 2200

E: naoise.cosgrove@crowe.ie

Frost Couture is an Irish owned company that has evolved from a small box bedroom to one of the leading costume jewellery brands in Ireland and the UK.

Founded by Ann Costello, a talented jewellery designer, Frost Couture offers an exclusive collection featuring Swarovski Crystals, Sterling Silver, and exquisite craftsmanship.

Frost Couture provides a unique opportunity for hotels to generate additional income at no extra cost. We install fully stocked, elegant jewellery display cabinets in your hotel’s reception area, offering guests the convenience of purchasing last minute gifts or forgotten accessories, such as cufflinks, without leaving the hotel. This added service enhances their experience and allows them more time to relax and enjoy your amenities.

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If you would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ann Costellocontact details below. Tel: +353 85 7716318 or Email: annc@frostcouture.ie

Weldon Mather

Director: Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure

T: +353 1 448 2281

E: weldon.mather@crowe.ie

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Webb Wonders

Musings from the Federation’s Economic Advisor

RATES REALITY

ANDREW WEBB ON THE RATES REALITY FOR HOSPITALITY

As we know, there was significant fear across the hospitality sector recently as the proposed rates revaluation was announced. Nondomestic rates revaluation coming on top of rising operating costs and lingering uncertainty about consumer spending combined to create a perfect storm of anxiety for hotel operators across Northern Ireland.

The strength of the reaction was telling. Following widespread concern from hospitality and retail businesses, implementation of aspects of the revaluation process was paused. The immediate pressure eased, but the episode highlighted how exposed the sector has become to increases in fixed costs.

The underlying issue has not gone away. The cost base facing hotels has fundamentally reset, and rates remain a central part of that story.

Revaluation is, in principle, a technical exercise. Property values change, the tax base adjusts, and the system resets to reflect economic reality. In practice, however, the impact on cash flow is what matters. For many hotels, particularly those that have invested in refurbishment or expansion over the past decade, the revaluation process translates into higher liabilities arriving at precisely the wrong moment in the economic cycle.

Hospitality is not alone in feeling this pressure, but it is uniquely

exposed to it. Hotels operate with high fixed costs, labour-intensive business models and demand that is inherently cyclical. Unlike many sectors, pricing power is limited by international competition and consumer sensitivity.

Tourism demand has recovered strongly since the pandemic, but profitability has not recovered at the same pace. Wage costs have increased structurally, energy costs remain volatile, and insurance continues to be a persistent challenge. Margins are thinner than visitor numbers alone might suggest.

Rates therefore become more than just another cost line. They become a strategic constraint. Every additional pound spent on fixed property costs is a pound not available for reinvestment, staffing, marketing or product improvement.

This matters because the sector needs to continue investing. Northern Ireland’s hotel offering has improved significantly over the past decade, and that momentum cannot stall. Visitors increasingly expect higher quality accommodation, stronger sustainability credentials and better overall experiences. Maintaining competitiveness requires continuous reinvestment.

Hotels are also anchor businesses within the tourism economy. They support local supply chains, sustain town and city-centre activity, and enable wider visitor spending across

restaurants, attractions and retail. When hotels invest, the benefits ripple through the local economy.

That is why predictability in the operating environment matters. Investment decisions in hospitality are long-term by nature, and uncertainty around fixed costs makes those decisions harder to justify, particularly in regional locations where returns are already tighter.

This is where the conversation begins to connect with competitiveness across the island. Northern Ireland’s hotel sector operates within the UK tax system, while competitors in the Republic continue to benefit from a lower VAT rate for tourism and hospitality services.

VAT is not a silver bullet, and reducing it would carry a significant fiscal cost. But when rising rates liabilities combine with higher operating costs and a structural VAT difference within an all-island tourism market, the financial squeeze on hotels becomes clearer. Northern Ireland’s tourism sector has proven resilient over the past decade.

The policy challenge now is ensuring that resilience is supported by an operating environment that allows hotels to remain profitable enough to reinvest, upgrade and grow.

Hotel Operations Shouldn’ t Feel Over

Chasing updates

BELFAST FLAVOURS LIVE

FOOD AND DRINK EVENT AT ICC

Over 200 food and drink leaders gathered at ICC Belfast on Monday 23rd February for Belfast Flavours Live – a flagship showcase celebrating the talent, collaboration and bold ambition shaping the future of the city’s culinary sector.

Delivered by Belfast Flavours with support from Belfast City Council and DAERA, the industry-led event united chefs, producers, hospitality leaders and policymakers to champion local produce, sustainability and long-term growth across Northern Ireland’s food economy.

NIHF TRAINING

KEY SKILLS PROGRAMMES TO STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY

The Federation has continued its commitment to skills development within the hospitality sector by delivering a series of targeted training programmes. Designed in response to member needs, these initiatives provide practical learning opportunities that strengthen operational capability and leadership across the industry.

Step-Up Leadership Programme

In late January 2026, NIHF hosted its fourth Step-Up Programme. This one-day intensive workshop was designed for new, aspiring and recently promoted managers.

Led by international speaker and business coach Tim Browne, the session focused on leadership fundamentals including building

confidence, communicating effectively, motivating teams and managing conflict.

Professional Housekeeping Management Training

Earlier in January, NIHF partnered with Hallmark Training to deliver a two-day Professional Housekeeping Management course. It explored the role of the housekeeping department, prioritisation and task management, standards and inspections, staff leadership and complaint handling.

Professional Receptionist Training

Receptionists from across Northern Ireland attended Professional Receptionist Training days in Belfast and Derry–Londonderry during February 2026.

The workshops focused on creating strong first impressions, effective communication and delivering exceptional guest service. Participants also developed skills in complaint handling, product knowledge and selling techniques.

These programmes reflect NIHF’s ongoing commitment to investing in people, raising professional standards and supporting members to build confident teams, improve productivity and remain competitive within Northern Ireland’s evolving hospitality sector.

if you have a specific training requirement within your business, please contact anna@nihf.co.uk.

Business Outlook Seminar

LOdgE HOTEL TUESdAy 28TH APRIL 2026

9.15am to 2.00pm including networking lunch

Tea & Coffee & Breakfast Bites

Introductions

Welcome

John Feeney, Bank of Ireland

Building the Product, Adding the Character Eimear Callaghan, Tourism NI

Workforce Management through Benchmarking and Insight

Ronan McAuley, Alkimii

Game On: Capturing Sport-Driven Demand

Sian Young, Britvic Ireland

Coffee Break

Putting Northern Ireland on the Global Stage

Helen McGorman, Tourism Ireland

Supply + Demand = Growth

Sarah Duignan, STR

The essential update on hotel performance. Including market intelligence and an industry debate. With expert insight on supply and demand, workforce trends and the impact of sporting events, the session will help inform business planning for the year ahead.

Join Mark Simpson as we explore the trends and opportunities shaping the hotel sector.