Benchmarking in Germany
01 March 2009
The new Belmore Court is is one of three Co Fermanagh tourist accommodation providers aiming for increased business from international markets.
Terry McCartney is participating in the new tourism initiative, the Invest NI Visa Programme.
It is designed to help local hotels, youth hostels and self-catering units boost their turnover by further improving their service delivery and developing a focused export marketing plan.
Representatives from a total of 12 NI accommodation providers will next week visit the renowned Schindlerhof Hotel in Nuremburg, Germany to learn from its proprietor Klaus Kobjoll.
Kevin McCann, Invest NI's Director of Transport, Construction and Tourism, said: "Despite the current economic climate, Northern Ireland still attracts many foreign visitors thanks to, for example, the strength against Sterling of currencies like the Euro and Dollar.
"The Visa Programme helps local hoteliers and proprietors of self-catering units and youth hostels make the most of this by taking simple steps to refine their service offering whilst focusing their marketing activities on specific target audiences.
"We are pleased to offer participants this year access to the expertise of innovative hotelier Klaus Kobjoll.
"His hotel, the Schindlerhof in Germany, has an uncompromising emphasis on customer service and innovation that has earned it a European Quality Award and an internationally recognised reputation.
"By adding to their capability and incorporating a greater focus on international marketing, local providers will be better equipped to emulate the success of the Schindlerhof and secure return visits and invaluable word-of-mouth advertising from overseas guests," said the Invest NI executive.
As part of the five-month programme, participants have also received expert advice from tourism and marketing experts, including former Director General of Tourism Ireland Matt McNulty and David Carson, Professor of Marketing at the University of Ulster.
Apart from Lusty Beg, the other Fermanagh accommodation providers participating in the programme are Lusty Beg Island and the Lough Erne Golf Resort.
Also heading to Germany are Cuan Licensed Guest Inn, Strangford; the Youth Hostel Association of Northern Ireland; City of Derry Hotel, Da Vinci's Hotel and the Everglades Hotel, (all Londonderry) as well as Radisson Roe Resort, Limavady; Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane, Armagh City Hotel and the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor.
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