Going for Gold . . .

The Belmore Court and Motel has achieved Gold status from Green Tourism, a body recognised by the UK and regional governments as being a crucial part of its drive towards sustainability.

Those who achieve Gold Status are classed as being 'Inspirational/Outstanding'. Establishments achieving Gold are cited by Green Tourism as achieving the highest standards of sustainability with a "strong and broad ethos and excellent examples throughout." Businesses who achieve this will employ the latest technologies, from LED lighting to efficient boilers and renewable technologies. The business will have an efficient control over their resource use and will demonstrate effective monitoring with targets set for savings. They believe "Green procurement will include sustainable meat/fish sources, a range of ethical products and working with local suppliers to provide fresh, local and even organic items." Green Tourism feel that changes implemented should lead to significant benefits to the business, community and supply chain.

Belmore Court and Motel have undertaken several actions to fulfil their commitment to sustainability. These include:

·        Complying with requirements of environmental legislation and approved codes of practice.

·        Continuously seeking to improve environmental and social performance.

·        To reduce pollution, emissions and waste.

·        To reduce the use of energy, water and other resources.

·        To raise awareness, encourage participation and train employees in sustainable business practice.

·        We expect similar environmental standards from all suppliers and contractors.

·        Assisting customers to use products and services in an environmentally sensitive way.

·        Liaising with the local community.

·        Minimising our risks associated with social and environmental issues.

·        Joining the Green Tourism Business scheme as an indicator of our sustainable practices.

·        Responsible visitor charters have been placed in every room, with seven steps indicating how guests can help reduce their impact on the environment whilst staying at the Belmore Court and Motel.

·        Practical steps taken include recycling, minimising paper use, choosing phosphate free cleaning products, using local suppliers where possible, water conservation, sensible lighting and fuel use, no PCs or TVs left on standby.

·        Creating an updated charge point for electric vehicles in the Belmore Court and Motel's car park.

·        Working with suppliers to minimise packaging.

·        Introducing more fair trade products.

·        Promoting cycle hire from Lakeland Bikes for £25 per day.

The Belmore Court and Motel is one of eighteen establishments offering a Green Tourism experience in Northern Ireland and one of only three to achieve Gold status!

Belmore Court & Motel - Cleans Up

Housekeepers from throughout Northern Ireland gathered at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel last night (12th March 2014) to discover who had cleaned up in this year’s Hotel & Guesthouse Housekeeping Awards. The event, which was hosted by UTV’s Pamela Ballantine, saw the Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen win the Under 90 Rooms category and the Hilton Belfast awarded first place in the 90 Rooms and Over category.

The awards, organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, are held on an annual basis and have been designed to showcase the important role of housekeeping and reward the excellence achieved by housekeeping staff. This is the fifth year they have taken place.

Mandy Patrick MBE, President of the NIHF commented, “This competition is really about giving recognition to and rewarding the often unsung heroes & heroines of the accommodation industry - the housekeeping teams. I know that I rely heavily upon my own team and without them our guests would not have the excellent stay they currently experience.” 

“This event has been greatly supported by our industry partners and we see this as a key element in its own going success. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality Products, Gilchrist and Soames along with Ecolab have sponsored this event since its inception five years ago. Their support is testament to their commitment to the industry and ensuring recognition for the housekeeping staff within the sector.”

The 2014 competition included a team assessment day with 56 housekeepers undertaking a range of tasks evaluating the skills they use everyday. This was followed by a surprise on-site inspection for the nine shortlisted finalists. The judges were looking for cleanliness, attention to detail and a good overall guest impression. The objective of the competition is to raise standards in the industry whilst recognising the superb job that housekeepers perform on a daily basis.

The results of the competition.

Under 90 Rooms

WINNER

Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen

RUNNER-UP

Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena

90 Rooms and Over

WINNER

Hilton Belfast

RUNNER-UP

Holiday Inn Express, Belfast

The Hotel & Guesthouse Housekeeping Awards are organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. The event is in its fifth year. The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It was founded in 1999 to represent the interests of the hotel and guesthouse industry. It lobbies Government, provides a range of services to Members and strives to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland gains from the tremendous economic and social benefits of a growing tourism sector.

Belmore Court Manager Features in NITB Campaign

Belmore Court and Motel’s owner Terry McCartney has discovered a new role in life. Not only is he a motelier but a TV Ad campaign star! Those who have seen the new Discover Northern Ireland Spring 2014 promotional ads will be familiar with Terry’s starring role. For those who haven’t you can take a peak;

Entitled ‘Discover the People, Discover the Place’ it is voiced over by Hollywood star and Ballymena boy Liam Neeson. Terry describes his involvement as evolving from a simple phone call from the Ad agency behind the campaign. They wanted to speak to people in Fermanagh about Fermanagh. Terry spoke about the county, his business at Belmore Court and Motel and about his hobbies which include photography and the locations in the county where he goes to take pictures.

Later that evening he received a call asking him to participate in the Ad campaign regarding Fermanagh, which he agreed to. Seven days later he met up with the production team at Crom Estate at 8am and the Ad was explained further to Terry. We’re assured that he was fully prepared for this strenuous day of filming by enjoying bacon butties with the crew prior to filming the documentary style Ad. They had invited another photographer along for the day, Eunan from Leitrim, with the aim being to show what Fermanagh was like, matching photographer with photographer and showing the beautiful sites of Fermanagh.

At Crom Estate they met John from the National Trust who has five generations of family living on the estate. They were given a tour and moved on to have lunch on the Lady of the Lake cruiser. Their skipper Frank took them out on Lough Erne and gave them a tour of Fermanagh’s Lakelands. Terry says that Eunan “couldn’t believe the breath taking beauty” of Fermanagh. On their boat trip they made their way towards Devenish Island. They saw the interpretive centre and returned to shore a little damper than when they had begun their journey. To end their day went to Blakes of the Hollow where they discussed the day’s activities. Terry believes Eunan was more than impressed with Fermanagh and was happy to return home and tell people about it. It was Terry’s “pleasure to show him Fermanagh, everything from its beauty, its scenery to the craic and the good food and pubs on offer.”

The Ad has already started being showing on TV and there are three versions of the Ad available. There is also a more detailed three minute look at the Fermanagh Ad with Terry and Eunan available online.

 

Feel free to visit us at the Belmore Court and Motel to take in the beauty of Fermanagh for yourself and keep an eye out for Terry coming to a TV screen or billboard near you! Please refrain from drawing moustaches amongst other things on his campaign, some friends of the Belmore Court and Motel are threatening not to be so kind!

Read more on the NITB blog - http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/discover-northern-ireland/discover-the-beauty.aspxhttp://www.discovernorthernireland.com/discover-northern-ireland/discover-the-beauty.aspx