Developing Your International Tourism Markets 2014

Transcription

1 Developing Your International Tourism Markets 2014 The project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction, Background and Workshop Dates 2. Today s Agenda 3. Participants List and Biographies 4. Useful Contacts and resources 5. BTS Contact Details

3 Background Grow your Horizons programme brings tourism businesses together in the Mourne and Strangford Lough destinations with the objective to work with tour operators. This support is to help local tourism businesses grow by attracting more staying visitors, encourage them to spend with participating businesses in the area and to ensure they have strong, positive experiences, helping to generate increased turnover and profitability. Tourism is the biggest industry in the Mournes and Strangford Lough destinations - it generates over 353m each year for the local economy, delivers nearly 2m bed nights and supports over 5,700 jobs. The local authorities Ards Borough Council, Banbridge, Down and Newry & Mourne District Councils have successfully secured funding for Grow your Horizons: Developing Your International Tourism Markets. The project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. Programme Objectives Grow your Horizons: Developing Your International Tourism Markets will provide specialist advice, training and practical assistance to tourism businesses to enhance their competitiveness, performance and sustainability. This is to be achieved by developing and adopting best marketing practices. Specifically, the Programme covers the key areas for developing international tourism markets, including market analysis, routes to markets including working effectively with the travel trade, international marketing and social media, international bookings, pricing and payments. The Programme has the following aims and objectives: To help your tourism business plan and prepare for market; Help you improve their business efficiency, profitability and ability to work in international markets; Help you establish, manage and maintain working partnerships with key incoming tour operators from across the world; and Develop products and services from across the destination that will appeal to international, Republic and UK markets and visitors.

4 Workshop Dates Workshops Date Venue Time Group Workshop 1 Regional Workshops 1. Newry Mourne & Banbridge Businesses 2. Down District Businesses 3. Ards District Businesses Group Workshop 3 Wednesday 29 th January 2014 Tuesday 11 th February 2014 Wednesday 12 th February 2014 Thursday 13 th February 2014 Wednesday 26 th February 2014 Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch Canal Court Hotel Tollymore Outdoor Centre, Newcastle Ards Business Centre Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch Group Workshop 4 Date to be confirmed Venue to be confirmed Learning Journeys Location Breadalbane, Scotland TBC Dates Sunday 30 th March Tuesday 1 st April Sunday 11 th May Tuesday 13 th May

5 Introduction to International Tourism Marketing Workshop; Wednesday 29th January. Time Registration Welcome and Introductions Stewart Walker Managing Director BTS How can help you promote your business overseas Geraldine Egan, Industry Liaison Officer - Co-operative Marketing Planning your entry to international tourism markets Understanding our international visitors, who they are and where they're coming from Carrying out effective market research Which markets to focus on and how to get involved Northern Ireland Tourist Board How NIB can help you promote your business in ROI Joanne Taylor, Group & Business Tourism Officer Q&A & NITB Coffee / Tea Break Best Practice - Presentations by businesses Martin McCrossan's Award Winning City Tours, Martin McCrossan Bunk Campers Louise Corken Being Market Ready Facilitated session on what is needed to be market ready Developing your own international tourism action plan Facilitated session Next Steps 1.30 Lunch & Networking

6 List of Participants First Name Surname Business / Company Area Regional Workshop Venue Jacqueline Baird The National Trust Castle Ward Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Didi Baxter Rostrevor Holidays Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Rachel Bevan Hemp Cottage Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Katherine Blair Westering Self Catering Ards Ards Business centre Judith Braniff Kirkistown Castle Golf Club Ards Ards Business centre Michael Calvert Barnwell Farm Cottages ltd. Ards Ards Business centre Philip Campbell Magnus Vikings Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Tim Campbell St Patrick Centre Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Damien Carr Magnus Vikings Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Helena Challinor Exploris Aquarium - Ards Borough Ards Ards Business centre Council Sarah Cochrane Pier 36 Ards Ards Business centre Mark Cumming East Coast Adventure Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Jennifer Cumming East Coast Adventure Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Maeve Curran WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre Ards Ards Business centre Vanessa Drew Ballyroney Cottage B&B Banb Canal Court Hotel Karena Eccles Old School House Ards Ards Business centre Esther Ervin Scion Hill Gate Lodge Banb Canal Court Hotel Barbara Ferguson Armagh Guided Tours N&M Canal Court Hotel Fiona Ferguson Cross Square Hotel N&M Canal Court Hotel Robert Gardiner Downpatrick & County Down Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Railway Leontia Haldenby Hutt Hostel Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Myrtle Haugh Kribben Cottages N&M Canal Court Hotel Rachel Haugh The Mourne Lodge N&M Canal Court Hotel Brendan Henry The Governor Rocks Ards Ards Business centre Aimee Henry The Governor Rocks Ards Ards Business centre Denis Higgins An Radhairc N&M Canal Court Hotel Josephine Higgins An Radhairc N&M Canal Court Hotel John Hubbucks Mobile Team Adventure Ards Ards Business centre Emily Hutley Hutt Hostel Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Mervyn Ingram Downshire Coach Travel Banb Canal Court Hotel Wesley Jameson Segway NI Ltd Banb Canal Court Hotel John Keating Life Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Sally King Dunnanelly Country House Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Margaret Kyle Magherally Cottage and Tours Banb Canal Court Hotel Geoffrey Kyle Magherally Cottage and Tours Banb Canal Court Hotel Shirley Liggett Canal Court Hotel N&M Canal Court Hotel Maureen Lowe Slievemoyle Cottages Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Greer Lowe Slievemoyle Cottages Down Tollymore Outdoor centre David Maginn Tory Bush Cottages Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Margaret Mayne Greenacres Banb Canal Court Hotel

7 First Name Surname Business / Company Area Regional Workshop Venue Eoin McCartan Mourne Bikes N&M Canal Court Hotel Gerty McCaugherty Millbrook Lodge Hotel Down Tollymore Outdoor centre William Og McCawley Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Spa Hugh McCloy Quinns Coach Hire Ltd Dungannon Canal Court Hotel Felicity Mcconville Mc Convilles Flax Mill Banb Canal Court Hotel Caroline McErlean The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Nicola McEvoy Tanglewood Music & Arts Festival N&M Canal Court Hotel Alison McGrenaghan Magnus Vikings Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Avril McIlveen Florida Manor Ards Ards Business centre Carol McMenamin Born 2 Run Events Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Keiran Meaney Newry Tours N&M Canal Court Hotel Iris Megaw Hilltop Lodge Banb Canal Court Hotel James Monaghan Odyssey Coach TOurs Belfast Ards Business centre Colm Murphy Matthews Coach Hire Monaghan Canal Court Hotel Chris Murphy Murphy's Wildlife and Travel Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Martin Murtagh Newry Tours N&M Canal Court Hotel Heather Nelson Ireland Greeting Cards Ards Ards Business centre John O'Neill Golfkeel Holiday Cottages Banb Canal Court Hotel A N Other Just Go Ireland / Irish Motorhome Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Tours Heather Parker Ards Crafts Ards Ards Business centre Declan Quigley Newry Tours N&M Canal Court Hotel Susan Roberts The National Trust Ards Ards Business centre Jane Rowe Born 2 Run Events Down Tollymore Outdoor centre William Rush The Retreat Greyabbey Ards Ards Business centre Seamus Shannon Formula Karting Ltd N&M Canal Court Hotel Sarah Sharp The National Trust Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Andrew Shaw Scrabo Golf Club Ards Ards Business centre Noel Smith Granite tours N&M Canal Court Hotel David Storey Comber Courtyard Apartment Ards Ards Business centre Blair Vernon Hillside B&B N&M Canal Court Hotel Carol Walker The Somme Heritage Centre Ards Ards Business centre Ronnie White Just Go Ireland / Irish Motorhome Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Tours Mairead White The Mourne Lodge Down Tollymore Outdoor centre Jean Whyte Loughbrickland Courtyard Banb Canal Court Hotel Regional Workshops Venues, Colour coded 1. Newry Mourne & Banbridge Businesses Canal Court Hotel 2. Down District Businesses Tollymore Outdoor centre 3. Ards District Businesses Ards Business centre

8 Delegate Biographies Company / Business An Radhairc, Rostrevor Josephine & Denis Higgins dohiggins49@eircom.net (LA area: Newry and Mourne DC) Armagh Guided Tours, Armagh Barbara Ferguson info@armaghguidedtours.com (LA area: Armagh DC) Ballyroney Cottage B&B, Ballyroney Vanessa Drew vanessadrew@btinternet.com (LA area: Banbridge DC) Barnwell Farm Cottages, Greyabbey Michael Calvert info@barnwellfarmcottages.co.uk Born 2 Run Events Ltd., Newcastle Jane Rowe & Carol McMenamin infor@born2runevents.com The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn, Strangford Caroline McErlean info@thecuan.com Comber Courtyard Apartment, Comber David Storey info@combercourtyard.com Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway, Downpatrick Robert Gardiner robert.gardiner@downrail.co.uk Downshire Coach Travel, Banbridge Mervyn Ingram info@downshirecoaches.com Description Self-catering. Most bookings through our web site. Some over the phone. Provide a three bed-room cottage, with accommodation for five. We introduce each to the cottage and provide them with full written information with respect to the locality. We insure they have our phone number. I am an accredited Board Fáilte County Armagh Tourist Guide and also a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for Northern Ireland. I work with individual visitors on planning and preparing a suitable stay in Northern Ireland. I also work with Tour Operators & Coach Operators planning & providing a full on-board guiding service for Northern Ireland, the Border Regions, parts of the R of I and Scotland. We aim to create a unique rural retreat and make a real effort to make guests feel individual. I offer beekeeping & self-sufficiency courses in our home garden. A cluster of 7 self-catering cottages set in a quiet rural location in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to sandy beaches, world famous gardens and an abundance of assessable wildlife on our farm. Less than a day s drive from all the well-known tourist attractions in N.Ireland. BORN2RUN, an events company set up to organise running events with a difference all over Ireland, in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Great Races in Great Places is our motto and we plan to bring you just that. We want to ensure all our entrants have a truly memorable and inspired experience at our races. All BORN2RUN races are set in stunning locations. BORN2RUN races stand out and are the races that you talk about long after you ve stumbled over the finish line. BORN2RUN races tick all the boxes with a calendar of awesome events in some of the most beautiful settings in Ireland. GREAT RACES IN GREAT PLACES The Cuan is a family owned and run hotel in the conservation village of Strangford. We offer a lounge bar, restaurant, public bar and 9 ensuite bedrooms. Seafood is a speciality. A private, bright, south facing, sympathetically renovated early Victorian streethouse first floor Apartment off the central Square in Comber, accommodates four with a double ensuite, twin and main bathroom; also spacious living, dining, kitchen area offering business or holiday lets and weekend stays 20 minutes from Belfast City Centre, Bangor, Lisburn, Mount Stewart and Killyleagh. The Downpatrick and County Down Railway runs through the drumlin countryside of County Down - St. Patrick's Country - over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral. With a mix of steam and diesel trains, and vintage carriages, there's plenty for train fans of all ages - from wee kids to "big kids". Run by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. A small family run business located in the heart of Co Down, ideally situated to provide transport both in the UK and Ireland. Our professional, well trained, drivers and small fleet of luxury coaches have been carefully selected to provide a premier customer service. Page 1

9 Company / Business (LA area: Banbridge DC) Dunnanelly Country House, Crossgar Sally King sally@dunnanellycountryhouse.com East Coast Adventure, Warrenpoint Mark Cumming mark@eastcoastadventure.com (LA area: Newry & Mourne DC) Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry Helena Challinor helena.challinor@ards-council.gov.uk Florida Manor, Newtownards Avril McIlveen avril.mcilveen@floridamanorni.com Formula Karting Ltd, Newry Seamus Shannon info@formula-karting.com (LA area: Newry & Mourne DC) Ganaway Activity Centre, Millisle Gareth Shields ganawaycentre@btconnect.com Golfkeel Holiday Cottages, Banbridge John O'Neill info@golfkeel.co.uk (LA area: Banbridge DC) The Governor Rocks, Donaghadee Aimee McCalister info@thegovernorrocks.com Granite Tours, Kilcoo Noel Smith Description My drive is to offer a very high standard of accommodation and comfort together with superb produce and to make our guests feel as though they are staying at a good friend's home but without invading their 'space'. East Coast Adventure is a residential outdoor multi activity centre we have four bases from which we offer a full range of land and watersports Our sales office is located on the main street in Warrenpoint, watersports base on the seafront in Warrenpoint, Mountain bike Centre Rostrevor Trails and 55 bed residential Mountain Centre Rostrevor At Exploris Aquarium see native marine life in stunning tank displays; enjoy hands on fun at the discovery pools where you can touch a sea urchin or starfish; follow the journey of orphaned seals from rescue to release; join in with our year round programme of events. We have 2 luxurious 5 star self-catering apartments set in a beautifully restored 17th century courtyard within a 200 acre estate. Formula Karting is an indoor kart racing circuit operating three tracks with tunnels, bridges, overpasses and underpasses. We cater for stag/hen parties, youth and school groups, corporate entertainment as well as families and individuals offering various race formats to suit each need. Minimum age is 8 years, no upper age limit. Ganaway Activity Centre is a residential outdoor pursuits centre owned and operated by the Boys Brigade Belfast. It is located near Millisle on the Ards Peninsula of County Down overlooking the Irish Sea. Ganaway provides a range of facilities catering for residential groups, day groups, corporate groups and conferences and is open and available for all customers. We provide a range of outdoor pursuits and team building challenges, indoor and outdoor sports facilities and we also provide conference facilities and training courses. Also onsite we have a heritage museum showcasing various displays. We also provide residential facilities at our Shepherd's Lodge mountain centre in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains at the very edge of Donard Wood in Newcastle, Co Down and overlooking Dundrum Bay. 3 Self-Catering NITB 5 Star Graded Cottages each cottage sleeps up to Six Adults in three en-suite bedrooms and each cottages has a full working kitchen, lounge with a wood burning stove plus utility room with Washer & Dryer. The Governor Rocks, baby brother to Coco Belfast, is situated on the parade, Donaghadee, with panoramic views over the Copeland islands and Scotland. Serving the best of local produce, seven days a week from the sea, the fields and sky, with prices that will have you returning for more. The governor rocks took home the prestigious new comer of the year award at the 2013 LCN awards. We take people on tailor made tours around the Mournes and surrounding areas. We offer Coach, walking and private tours and can offer specialised tours as well such as photography tours. Page 2

10 Company / Business info@granitetours.com Greenacres Guesthouse, Banbridge Margaret Mayne greenacresguesthouse@hotmail.com (LA area: Banbridge DC) Hemp Cottage, Crossgar Rachel Bevan bevanarchitects@btconnect.com Hillside B&B, Newry Blair Vernon info@hillsidenewry.co.uk (LA area: Newry & Mourne DC) Hilltop Lodge, Banbridge Iris Megaw hilltoplodge@barrackhill.co.uk (LA area: Banbridge DC) Hutt Hostel, Newcastle Emily Hutley emily@strathgarry.co.uk Ireland Greeting Cards, Portaferry Heather Nelson irelandgc@msn.com Irish Motorhome Tours, Saintfield Ronnie White ronniedjwhite@gmail.com Kirkistown Castle Golf Club, Cloughey Judy Braniff kirkistowngc@btconnect.com Description We have been offering the very best of service to our guests at Greenacres for 25 years now. We take great pride in catering to our guests differing needs, whether this is providing the highest quality of food sourced from local producers, making them feel comfortable in our home, or helping them to familiarise themselves with our part of the world. We are honoured to have been received many awards over the years for our dedication to tourism in our area. We are primarily Architects who've used an innovative sustainable form of construction to build a very attractive small house in our grounds. The Hemp-House attracts visitors either because of the architectural interest, or due to its very special location beside a river. Visitors are struck by the attractive and calm setting, and we're starting to have quite a few returning guests. We're aware that this would appeal to European visitors but haven't accessed this market yet. I am also very motivated to promote the area around Strangford Lough, and I'm open to offering more than accommodation e.g. a bespoke package. Owner /operator of a small 4 bedroom bed and breakfast set in the quiet countryside just outside Newry. We are a modern bed and breakfast built in 2005 with up to date facilities. Underfloor heating, modern sanitary ware, wet rooms, electric gates offering secure parking. Situated a half mile off the A1 (Belfast to Dublin road) perfect for business or pleasure. Overlooking Newcastle beach, this recently refurbished hostel/backpackers offers budget accommodation with self-service breakfast included, suited to groups, families & individuals. Ideal for walkers, climbers, ramblers & mountain bikers who wish to explore the majestic Mourne Mountains. The hostel is located in the centre of Newcastle seaside resort with good access to all amenities and can sleep up to 42. My cards can be made especially for your house, or garden or even places of interest around you. The cards I design, are specially made for you. I can show you some that I have done for B&B's, and self-catering establishments, shops etc. I can only supply up to 100 at a time, so the quantity you receive does not have to be a massive outlay, (min quantity is 25 if ordering wholesale)you can sell the cards, or use them for marketing your establishment. Our Business will offer Motorhome Hire and swaps with detailed itineraries i.e.( where to go, what to see, where to eat and where to stop overnight,) we will target 3 groups of visitors 1)Those wanting a complete holiday experience 2) Motorhome visitors from GB & Europe. 3)Motorhome owners wanting to swap for holidays i.e.) 2) Visiting Motorhome owners e.g. GB, ROI & Mainland Europe i.e. Detailed Tour itineraries 3) Foreign Motorhome owners wanting to do Motorhome swaps. "A True Links Golf Course". KCGC is a private members golf club. Being a Links Course we are able to offer golf for the whole year round. We welcome members, visitors and golfing societies on a daily basis. Page 3

11 Company / Business Kribben Cottages, Annalong Myrtle Haugh haughs5@yahoo.co.uk (LA area: Newry & Mourne DC) Life Adventure, Castlewellan John Keating john@onegreatadventure.com Loughbrickland Courtyard, Loughbrickland Jean Whyte info@loughbricklandcourtyard.com (LA area: Banbridge DC) Magherally Cottage, Banbridge Margaret Kyle magherallycottage@btinternet.com (LA area: Banbridge DC) Magnus Viking Association, Annadorn, Downpatrick Philip Campbell magnusvikings@gmail.com Matthews.ie, Callenberg, Monaghan Description New business, 5 newly built self-catering cottages located between Newcastle and Annalong, hope to be completed and up and running April/May Our Castlewellan Adventure Centre... Located within the Castlewellan Forest Park in the Market Town of Castlewellan, offering a fantastic venue for everything from a Family Birthday or Group Outing, to Corporate BBQs or even a full on Adventure Challenge! The centre is located in a stunning Courtyard setting and can therefore comfortably accommodate day groups of up to 250 on site. Adventure activities such as Canoeing, Kayaking, rockclimbing, River Bouldering, Abseiling, Hill walking and Canoe/Bike Rental. Main centre facilities offer; Customer Services Desk, Coffee Dock, Comfortable seating area, Showers, Changing facilities, Toilets, Bike Wash, Disabled Access Our Mournes Life Adventure Centre Annalong... Located within the Marine Park in the Coastal Village of Annalong, offering a fantastic venue for everything from a Youth or Group Weekend, to Corporate Getaways or even a full on Adventure Break! All accommodation is located together in a Courtyard style setting and can therefore comfortably accommodate groups of up to 58 on site with training, conference and catering facilities to match. Main centre facilities offer; 40 beds in en-suite dorm rooms (all linen provided) Communal Kitchens (self-catering or fully catered options available) Lounges with open fires and wood burning stoves Training and Conference Rooms Laundry and Drying Rooms Cottage facilities include; 4 cottages sleeping 5, 5, 4 and 4 in a mixture of en-suite rooms Fully fitted Kitchens (self-catering or fully catered options available) Lounges with open fires Cottage residents can avail of Laundry and Drying Rooms and Training and Conference Rooms (by prior arrangement) Additional facilities on site; Internet access, duty warden and info point for local information/assistance, provision of a wide range of outdoor activities from relaxing activities to team games and full on adventure sports! We offer self-catering accommodation in two comfortable 4* units ('Coolnacran' with 3 double ensuite bedrooms and 'Lisnagade' with 2 double ensuite bedrooms) in a converted old stone coach house at Loughbrickland House, Banbridge Co. Down. 'Coolnacran' has one wheelchair accessible bedroom. Safe garden/patio, offstreet parking; spacious warm living and kitchen areas with all mod cons. We offer self-catering accommodation in a listed 18th Century thatched cottage which has been sympathetically restored to provide spacious 4* comfort while retaining many original features. The cottage is located in a peaceful rural area 3 miles from Banbridge. The enclosed cottage garden provides secure parking and panoramic views of the Dromara Hills, The Mournes and The Carlingford Mountains. We are a Living History and Historical Re-enactment Association. We provide touristic and educational experiences for locals and travellers alike. We run festivals and events such as the Magnus Barelegs International Viking Festival and Medieval Street markets. We offer visitors the opportunity to get involved with activities such as traditional archery, Dark Age black smithing, spinning, weaving, herb crafts, foraging and wood carving. We also own three ocean going Viking Longships which visitors can row and sail. We provide local historical tours and medieval banquets. We also run a schools education programme aimed specifically at children. Matthews Coach Hire, a family owned Irish Coach company that Page 4

12 Company / Business Colm Murphy Colm@matthews.ie (LA area: County Monaghan) McConvilles Flax Mill, Dromore Felicity Meade felicitymcconville@hotmail.co.uk (LA area: Banbridge DC) Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch Gerty Mccaugherty Millbrook01@gmail.com Mourne Bikes, Rostrevor Eoin McCartan info@mournebikes.com (LA area: Newry and Mourne DC) The Mourne Lodge, Kilkeel Mairead White info@themournelodge.com (LA area: Newry and Mourne DC) Murphy's Wildlife, Killough Chris Murphy wildlife@murphys.dnet.co.uk National Trust - Castle Ward (Murlough and Mourne) Jacqueline Baird and Sarah Sharp jacqueline.baird@nationaltrust.org.u k Co sarah.sharp@nationaltrust.org.uk National Trust - Mount Stewart, Newtownards Susan Roberts susan.roberts1@nationaltrust.org.uk Description specializes in both Leisure and Corporate Travel. We have established ourselves as one of the top coach operators in Ireland, with a fleet of 40 coaches varying in size from 12 to 75 seats. We as a team are highly organized and efficient necessary when handling delivery of major events. Our organizational skills and experience working in challenging and time-pressured environments motivates our team to ensure no stone is left unturned. (No info) 3 Star Co Down Hotel. Situated on the outskirts of the market town of Ballynahinch. We have 16 bedrooms, a Bistro/Restaurant and various conference/function suites. The hotel is a large and popular wedding venue with facilities to get married in the grounds or inside the building. We also host large band night most of which would be country music. Mourne Bikes provides a professional and friendly bike hire, skills courses and guided ride service within the Mourne Mountains. Based in Rostrevor, Co Down we are only an hour from both Belfast and Dublin. Our local knowledge and experience can help you make the most of your cycling adventure in the Mournes. The 31 bed centre boasts of excellent quality budget accommodation. All rooms are en-suite with a mixture of private and shared rooms. The Mourne Lodge facilities include a comfortable lounge with a wood burning stove, a 52 TV and DVD with a selection of DVD s and travel books, a modern fully equipped self-catering kitchen, a drying room, an outdoor picnic/barbeque area, secure car parking, laundry facilities (at an extra cost), bike storage, free Wi-Fi, conference suite, and an onsite restaurant. We are Blue Badge Guides with an in depth knowledge of the built and natural environment of Strangford Lough and the Mournes. Also the golf product and most other tourist attractions of Co Down. Castle Ward is the hub of the National Trust South Down Portfolio which includes Murlough National Nature Reserve and part of the Mournes. It is an 820 acre walled demesne with an 18th century mansion which sits on rolling hillside overlooking Strangford Lough. The demense has 34kms of walking, cycling and horseriding trails, adventure playgrounds, outdoor pursuit activities, cafe, gift shop, second-hand book shop, laundry, Victorian play room, house tours and barn play area. There are year round events and the demesne and house is available for wedding, filming or corporate hire. Mount Stewart House Gardens and Temple of the winds is one of the most unique and unusual gardens that the National Trust owns. It contains a rich tapestry of design and the great planting artistry that was the hallmark of Edith, Lady Londonderry. The climate of Strangford Lough allows astonishing levels of planting experimentation. The formal areas exude a strong Mediterranean feel and resemble an Italian villa landscape, while the wooded areas support a range of plants from all corners of the world ensuring something to see whatever the season. An exciting 7million restoration project is underway in the house. Key elements of the project include structural work, improving the services, window repairs and a new conservation heating system. In addition a new conservation studio will Page 5

13 Company / Business Newry Tours, Newry Martin Murtagh newrytours@gmail.com (LA area: Newry & Mourne DC) Odyssey Coach Tours, Belfast James Monaghan info@odysseycoachtours.co.uk (LA area: Belfast CC) Pier 36, Donaghadee Sarah Cochrane sarahccochrane@yahoo.co.uk Quinns Coach Hire, Ardboe Hugh McCloy hugh@quinnscoachhire.com (LA area: Cookstown) The Retreat Greyabbey, Greyabbey Bill Rush info@theretreatni.co.uk Rostrevor Holidays, Rostrevor Didi Baxter info@rostrevorholidays.com (LA area: Newry and Mourne DC) St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick Tim Campbell director@saintpatrickcentre.com Scion Hill Gate Lodge, Dromara Esther Ervin info@scionhillgatelodge.com (LA area: Banbridge DC) GolfEquip Scrabo Professional Shop, Newtownards Andrew Shaw golfequipni@gmail.com Description provide the opportunity to see conservation of the collection. This important conservation work will ensure this fascinating house and its contents are protected for many years to come. Newry Tours specializes in private group tours and corporate events in Newry, Northern Ireland. We offer everything from Historical walking tours to paranormal ghost walks and presently have combination of both. For the moment these tours are designed with an adult audience in mind 16 and over and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We hope to offer tours to Schools, Exchange groups, Stags, Hens, and other groups/international parties in the future. We provide day tours departing from Belfast city centre to the Mournes and Saint Patricks Country. We also provide day tours to the Giants Causeway. We are also the largest provider of private tours from the growing number of cruise ships arriving into Belfast port. Pier 36 is an award winning family owned and run restaurant, bar & 4 Star Guesthouse in Donaghadee. We strive to welcome every customer with our family motivated hospitality. Quinn's Coach Hire is a family run business offering luxury coach hire to executive standards in Northern Ireland which we offer to businesses in the private and public sectors. We are available for private hire for domestic or international tour groups and run guided tours in Northern Ireland. At The Retreat Greyabbey we offer a different take on the Bed & Breakfast experience. Providing high quality accommodation and excellent cuisine (locally sourced where possible). We specialise in Relaxation /Pamper packages and have our own resident therapist providing relaxing Reflexology and Swedish Massage treatments. "More like staying with friends" has been repeated on our Excellent Trip Advisor reviews and we have many friends who have returned. Rostrevor Holidays is a family run self-catering business based in the foothills of the Mournes. 12 cottages set on a peaceful farm. With a strong focus on mountain bike friendly accommodation, groups, child friendly, and dog friendly. The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Saint Patrick, one of five NITB Signature Projects for Northern Ireland and the hub of Saint Patrick's Trail/Saint Patrick's Country. I operate a self-catering unit. I would like on behalf of SGC to discuss the possibilities to further grow our trade to staying visitors that wish to play golf in Northern Ireland. Package offers etc. Page 6

14 Company / Business Segway NI Ltd., Portadown Wesley Jameson wesley@segwayni.co.uk (LA area: Armagh DC) Slievemoyle Cottages, Downpatrick Greer and Maureen Lowe greerandmaureen@slievemoyle.com Tory Bush Cottages, Newcastle David Maginn davidmaginn25@msn.com Westering, Comber Katherine Blair l.blair@hotmail.co.uk Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust - Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber Ame Maeve maeve.curran@wwt.org.uk Description Segway NI is the Award Winning Outdoor Adventure & Tourism company offering a wide range of services and tours on these amazing Segway machines. We offer the only Segway City tour in the UK along with Off Road Adventure Tours. We can also do corporate, team building, and private events. Slievemoyle Cottages, which began 10 years ago, is a self-catering holiday accommodation business, where guests stay in our 5 traditional stone built cottages. These 200 year old buildings were renovated and restored, one at a time, by ourselves, with Greer as hands-on project manager and with help from local tradesmen. Our guests come from a range of countries and we have many returners. Due to much interest from larger groups and requests for one night stays, we are presently adding a bunkhouse to our accommodation. Tory Cottages are located on the Northern slopes of the Mourne Mountains, just 4.5 mile outside the pleasant seaside resort of Newcastle. We can sleep up to 46 people in 9 Self-Catering Cottages, in any combination of single or double bed; the cottages are managed on strong environmental principles with almost 90% of our energy from Renewable Sources. Westering is a modern townhouse located on the sea front at Portaferry. We offer 4 star accommodation and can sleep up to 8 guests. The house is an 'upside down' construction with the open plan living room and kitchen on the first floor to take full advantage of the views over Strangford Lough. With a large enclosed garden to the rear and Portaferry town centre only a short stroll away, Westering is the perfect base for a wonderful holiday in County Down. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is one of the world s largest and most respected wetland conservation organisations working globally to safeguard and improve wetlands for wildlife and people. Castle Espie s is home to Ireland s largest collection of native and exotic water-birds. The centre is truly a magical place for all ages offering wild woodland walks, soft play areas, events and workshops, art exhibitions, retail therapy, food and conference facilities. Page 7

15 is the agency responsible for marketing the island of Ireland as a holiday destination overseas. They devise and implement world-class marketing programmes and provide industry partners with opportunities to market their own products and services working closely with the teams in over 20 markets overseas. In addition, they are a source of information on overseas market trends and consumer needs, which they make available to NITB. Market Profiles markets the island of Ireland in over 20 markets across the world. Over the years, they have developed a detailed and in-depth understanding of those markets and the best-prospects consumers within them, as well as any significant changes taking place, which they are happy to share with partners in the industry. On their web site you will find details of market performance, insights into market trends and consumer behaviour, examples of s marketing activity in key markets, information on how to become involved with us in marketing your own product or service overseas, and contact details for further information. For specific market information the Market Profiles summarise tourism trends amongst holidaymakers to the island of Ireland. They also contain valuable consumer insights and details on marketing activities in each market. The link to the web page is as follows: Scroll down the page to find the latest Market Profiles organised by market area - starting with Great Britain, followed by North America, Europe and Australia & Developing Markets NITB NITB is responsible for the development of tourism and the marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination to domestic tourists, from within Northern Ireland, and to visitors from the Republic of Ireland Business Supports NITB offers a range of business supports to help you to grow your business. Full details can be found on Additional sources of research For additional information on visitor profiles and tourism business performance from all other source markets visit and Contacts Details Organisation Destination Mourne Mountains Destination Strangford Lough Down District Council Contact info@visitmournemountains.co.uk info@visitstrangfordlough.co.uk Mark Mohan Senior Tourism Initiatives Manager T: M: E: mark.mohan@downdc.gov.uk Wilma Warburton Assistant Tourism Development Officer T: E: wilma.warburton@downdc.gov.uk

16 Organisation Newry & Mourne District Council Banbridge District Council Ards Borough Council Contact Michelle Boyle Tourist Development Officer T: E michelle.boyle@newryandmourne.gov.uk Michelle McKeown Assistant Tourism Development Officer T: E: michelle.mckeown@newryandmourne.gov.uk John Douglas Tourism Manager T: M: E: john.douglas@banbridge.gov.uk Sharon Mahaffy Tourism Development Officer T: E: sharon.mahaffy@ards-council.gov.uk Rosemary Richardson Tourism Development Officer T: E: rosemary.richardson@ards-council.gov.uk Visitor Information Centres Newcastle Visitor Information Centre Central Promenade NEWCASTLE Co Down, Northern Ireland BT33 0AA Downpatrick Visitor Information Centre The Saint Patrick Centre 53A Market Street Downpatrick Co Down BT30 6LZ Newry Visitor Information Centre Bagenal s Castle Castle Street NEWRY Co Down BT34 2DA Banbridge Visitor Information Centre Old Town Hall 1 Scarva Street BANBRIDGE Co Down, BT32 3DA Ards Visitor Information Centre 31 Regent Street Newtownards Judith Hammond Assistant Tourism Development Officer T: E: Judith.hammond@ards-council.gov.uk T F E newcastle.vic@downdc.gov.uk W T: E: downpatrick.vic@downdc.gov.uk T E newrytic@newryandmourne.gov.uk T E tic@banbridge.gov.uk W T: E: info@ards-council.gov.uk

17 Organisation BT23 4AD Offices Worldwide Contact Office Address Contact Asia Hub Australia Belgium Canada France Germany Address: PO Box , 1st Floor, Jafza 18 & 19, Jebel Ali Free Zone, UAE. Telephone: Fax: corporate.australia@tourismireland.com Address: Level 5, 36 Carrington Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: Fax: /au/ corporate.belgium@tourismireland.com Address: Louizalaan 66 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Telephone: Fax: corporate.canada@tourismireland.com Address: 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 3403, Toronto M4W 3E2, Canada. Telephone: Fax: corporate.france@tourismireland.com Address: 33 rue de Miromesnil, Paris, France. Telephone: Fax: Website: corporate.germany@tourismireland.com Address: Gutleutstrasse 32, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Telephone: Fax: Aisling McDermott Marketing Manager Telephone: Diane Butler, Manager Telephone: Dbutler@tourismireland.com Danielle Neyts, Market Representative dneyts@tourismireland.com Jayne Shackleford, Marketing Manager Telephone: jshackleford@tourismireland.com Severine Tharreau, Consumer Marketing Manager Telephone: stharreau@tourismireland.com Serge Fonseca, Trade Marketing Manager Telephone: sfonseca@tourismireland.com Kirsten Donnerstag, Marketing Manager Telephone: kdonnerstag@tourismireland.com Christian Ruebel Trade Marketing Manager Central Europe Telephone: Cruebel@tourismireland.com

18 Office Address Contact Great Britain - Glasgow Great Britain - London Italy Netherlands Nordic Region Spain USA Market Agents Austria China corporate.glasgow@tourismireland.com Address: James Millar House, 7th Floor, 98 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ, Scotland. Telephone: Fax: corporate.london@tourismireland.com Address: 103 Wigmore St, London W1U 1QS, London. Telephone: Fax: corporate.italy@tourismireland.com Address: Turismo Irlandese, Piazza Cantore 4, Milano, Italy. Telephone: Fax: Website: corporate.netherlands@tourismireland.com Address: Spuistraat 104, 1012 VA, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: Fax: Website: info.nordic@tourismireland.com Address: Store Kongensgade 3,1, 1264 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Telephone: corporate.spain@tourismireland.com Address: Pº de la Castellana, 46-2ª Planta, Madrid, Spain. Telephone: Fax: corporate.usa@tourismireland.com Address: 345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10154, USA. Telephone: Fax: Address:, Argentinierstr. 2/4, 1040 Wien, Austria. Telephone: Fax: Address:, China, Suite 728, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Elaine Murray, Industry Contact emurray@tourismireland.com Judith Cassidy, Industry Activation Officer Telephone: Jcassidy@tourismireland.com Niamh Kinsella, Marketing Manager Telephone: nkinsella@tourismireland.com Karen van der Horst, Marketing Manager Telephone: kvanderhorst@tourismireland.com Rikke Aagaard Petersen Telephone: raagaardpetersen@tourismireland.c om Barbara Wood, Marketing Manager Spain & Portugal Telephone: bwood@tourismireland.com Billy Condon Vice President Marketing, USA bcondon@tourismireland.com Fiona Dunne, Promotions Manager Telephone : fdunne@tourismireland.com Simon Bopp, Market Contact Telephone: sbopp@tourismireland.com Market Contact Irish Wang Telephone:

19 Office Address Contact Road West, China, Shanghai , P.R China. Telephone: Fax: India Address:, Beautiful Planet, Grants Building Annexure, Office No. 46, 1st Floor, Opposite Strand Cinema, Colaba, Mumbai, India Telephone: Huzan Fraser, Market Contact hfrazer@tourismireland.com GCC New Zealand South Africa Switzerland Great Britain Glasgow Dublin info.ae@tourismireland.com Address: PO Box , 1st Floor, Jafza 18 & 19, Jebel Ali Free Zone, UAE. Telephone: Fax: Address: Level 7, Citibank Building, 23 Customs St East, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. Telephone: Fax: corporate.newzealand@ tourismireland.com /nz/ Address: Development Promotions, 62 Hume Road, Dunkeld, P.O. Box 30615, Braamfontein 2017, Johannesberg, South Africa. Telephone: Fax: /za Address:, Badenerstrasse 15, CH-8004 Zurich. Telephone: Fax: Website: corporate.glasgow@ tourismireland.com Address: James Millar House, 7th Floor, 98 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ, Scotland. Telephone: Fax: th Floor, Bishop s Square Redmond s Hill Dublin 2 Telephone: industryopportunities@ tourismireland.com Aisling McDermott Marketing Manager Telephone: Darragh Walshe, Market Contact Telephone: dwalshe@tourismireland.com Gail Gilbert, Market Contact Telephone: tourismireland@dpgsa.co.za Gian Gregori, Market Contact Telephone: ggregori@tourismireland.com Industry Contact Elaine Murray emurray@tourismireland.com Industry Contact Geraldine Egan gegan@tourismireland.com

20 Northern Ireland Tourist Board Business to Business Willie Lougheed Joanne Taylor Dawn Hewitt PJ Townsend Gillian Spratt Business Tourism Manager Business Tourism Officer Business Tourism Executive Business Tourism Administration Officer Business Tourism Administration Officer Destination Marketing & PR Ruth Burns Pauline Gormley Eimear Callaghan Alice Murray Claire Keenan Lucia King Aileen O'Neill Paul Lynch Mari Surgenor Claire Collins Helen Hamilton Dominic Totten Destination PR Unit Manager Destination PR Unit Officer Destination PR Unit Officer Destination PR Unit Executive Destination PR Unit Executive Destination PR Unit Executive Destination PR Unit Executive Marketing Campaigns Executive Destination PR Unit Administration Officer Destination PR Unit Administration Officer Destination PR Unit Administration Officer Destination PR Unit Administration Officer

21 Social and Digital Media Paul Coleman Charlotte Jess Rachel Quigg Social and Digital Media Manager Social and Digital Media Officer Social and Digital Media Administration Officer Republic of Ireland Fiona Cunningham ROI Market Manager Gwen Beveridge Sales and Marketing Officer Clare McCoy PR Officer Madeleine Whelan Sales and Marketing Executive Aoife Walsh PR Executive Aileen Tobin Sales and Marketing Executive Kirstin Smith PR Executive Brona McKeague PR Administration Officer Clare Breen Sales and Marketing Administration Officer

22 This is a resume of the Grow your Horizons project delivery team. BTS is an Edinburgh based marketing and business development company with a track record of working with the public and commercial sectors in destination development, product development, marketing and sales in tourism and hospitality. BTS s web site is The principals of the company have variously worked in 5 star accommodation, set up and managed the lobby group for the tourism sector in Scotland (during foot and Mouth and 9/11) and worked extensively in marketing and sales. Specialising particularly, but not exclusively, in hospitality and tourism, we work with a range of commercial clients from hotels, hostels, golf courses, visitor attractions, to events, festivals, retail, venues, event catering, business tourism and activity tourism operators. In Northern Ireland we have prepared the destination plans for Causeway Coast and Glens, Tyrone and the Sperrins and the refresh of the destination plans for Destination Strangford Lough and Destination Mournes. We ve worked with tourism operators hotels, restaurants, hostels, golf course, visitor attractions, contract caterers etc. to help them understand and access their customers. Crucially, BTS s point of difference is that all the principals of the company have practical implementation experience and have been accountable for sales, investments, delivery and performance. We develop pragmatic plans based on strategic analysis. The Grow Your Horizons implementation team is made up of: Stewart Walker: Stewart s career has taken him from Edinburgh to Los Angeles and back again. He s managed some of the world s finest 4 and 5 star hotels including Edinburgh s iconic Caledonian Hotel and L.A. s St James Club. His extensive hospitality and tourism expertise is backed by strong business acumen honed at one of Scotland s leading private banks, where he advised on hotel development. He then joined the Edinburgh Convention Bureau contributing to Edinburgh being rated one of Europe s top ten conference cities. He is an independent Director with Fife Golf Trust, a charitable trust managing and operating seven Fife Council Golf Courses and is Chair of Golf Tourism Scotland, a not-for-profit industry association owned and governed by its members to represent Scotland s diverse golf tourism interests. Ivan Broussine: Ivan is a market driven economist, an experienced economic and business development professional, with public and commercial successes. Ivan has local government, national development agency and private sector economic and business development experience. Ivan s capabilities are in market research, business development, marketing planning, benchmarking and best practice models. Ivan was founding CEO of the tourism industry lobby group, the Scottish Tourism Forum, and was for 6 years to 2012 Chair of Scottish Enterprise s Advisory Board for Cooperative Development Scotland. Sue Ireland: Sue combines business and product development with marketing and communications, within a wide range of industries and businesses helping businesses to penetrate their markets and deliver sales, whilst also ensuring the right processes are in place to sustain profitability. Sue s exceptional skills lie in analyzing existing and potential customers behaviour, the business product or service and developing innovative and practical marketing, messaging and communications platforms, delivered creatively, to get the message out to customers. Linda Duncan: has spent her marketing career in product development in both B2B and B2C marketing. She has an extensive knowledge of direct marketing including market segmentation, research and implementation of marketing strategies, including an in depth knowledge of social media planning and execution. Her experience lies in the UK market and also internationally. Linda has a natural entrepreneurial flair and always ensures that costs are managed and projects delivered within budget and timeline. Contacts BTS 23 Stafford Street Edinburgh EH3 7BJ Tel: Stewart: / Ivan: / Sue: / Linda: /