Belfast International Airport, member of the VINCI Airports network, remains a strong supporter of the region by sponsoring the prestigious Tourism and Hospitality Company of the Year category at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards for the second time.
With more than 4,000 employees at its Antrim site, the airport is a major employer within the sector. Serving 70 destinations across Great Britain and Europe, in partnership with key airlines easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI, Belfast International provides vital connectivity for all travellers. Notably, the past year saw a record-breaking 6.7m passengers pass through the airport.
Belfast Telegraph Business Awards logo
Tourism and hospitality are critical to Northern Ireland’s open-for-business message, driving visitor numbers, economic growth, and international investment. It contributes significantly to the local economy, with direct tourism expenditure estimated around £0.9bn annually.
People are staying longer and spending more when they visit Northern Ireland, and it’s important to recognise the outstanding contribution of the tourism and hospitality and sector.
The judges for this year’s awards are eager to receive submissions from a diverse range of businesses including bars and restaurants, accommodation providers, travel and tourism operations, and the entertainment and recreation sector.
Dan Owens, Belfast International Airport chief executive
Dan Owens, Belfast International Airport chief executive officer, said: “The airport is the main gateway into Northern Ireland, and it comes as no surprise that the region is growing in popularity, driven by its world-class products and experiences.
“From its rich history to stunning landscapes and artisan food scene to live music, this appeal attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s important that we acknowledge local businesses which are innovative and championing the sector against a challenging backdrop of rising operational costs and staffing supply.
“As we approach summer, which is one of our busiest periods, we are anticipating record-breaking passenger numbers again, with many of our airlines increasing flight frequencies for the season.
“We have developed a summer schedule in close partnership with our airlines to meet the growing demand for travel, boosting connectivity for Northern Ireland.
“We are committed to investing in the airport with our £100m transformation programme, which has delivered significant results enhancing customer experience, including a state-of-the-art security terminal, a new arrivals area and exterior building finish.
Belfast International Airport logo
“Our next phase will see the completion of an immersive duty-free experience that celebrates our unique heritage, offering everything from a local whiskey apothecary to top international brands such as Rituals, MINISO and more.
“This investment will ensure that we’re increasing connectivity and providing more travel choices, ultimately encouraging more visitors to experience everything Northern Ireland has to offer. We will continue to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders to drive further growth in the region.
“Finally, good luck to all entrants in the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, as it’s a valuable platform for recognising business excellence in NI.”
To enter the awards before the closing date of Friday, March 21, go to www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/businessawards/enter