Annual Guest Survey Results

In April 2012 the Belmore Court sent out its seventh annual guest survey to gather feedback from those who had stayed in the previous 12 months. We sent out almost 5000 surveys both online and by post. There was a geat response with more than 15% replies helping us to improve our service and facilities.

As an incentive we offered 3 x two night breaks to encourage guests to complete the information. The winners of these are:

Jacqueline Walker, Lisburn
Gwen Ross, Omagh
R Niblock, Belfast

 

It is fantastic to read that more than 98% of respondents found the booking process to be Excellent or Very Good. Comments include; Clear & Concise Information given to me, online system easy to use, Very straightforward easy-peesy, Excellent video presentation on website, Informative and friendly manner of staff who took booking was one of the deciding factors in choosing Belmore Court, Very helpful staff on reception! Their friendliness persuaded me that the Belmore would be a good choice and I was right!

 

It was a credit to the reception team that no one felt that the welcome or service at reception was poor and that 99% thought the 1^st impressions, welcome, service and booking accuracy were either very good or excellent. This is reflected in the comments; 100%. Never met a nicer girl than one at reception. Couldn't do enough to please, Made to feel very welcome - delighted with service, Excellent all round service, room, staff and night porter, Everything well organised! Great hospitality on arrival!

 

It is also a credit to the housekeeping department that 98% or guests found the cleanliness of the room to be very good or excellent. And that 96% found the maintenance with a similar breakdown of scores. Comments included; Really lovely - especially a good bed for back problems!, Magnificent, Very attractive rooms with up to date in house facilities, professionally maintained to a very high standard. A number of comments were like this one; Decor was dated, facilities in motel room substandard. As a result we have updated these rooms.

 

Continental Breakfast - It is positive to see that 95% of customer found the hosts friendly – 2 percentage point increase from last year. 95% also found the quality to be Very good or excellent – 9 percentage point increase from last year. 88% were very happy with the choice. Once again an increase – this time 13 percentage points.

99% of respondents would consider staying again with 69% definitely booking with us. (15% increase ). Disappointingly 4 people would not stay again. Comments: No complaints; Great location friendly staff; I would certainly consider staying again. Would try lodge next time; You can’t be beaten – quality & value; hoicealways.100% we will;

 

Less than 1% found our accommodation not to be value for money. Comments: Excellent value; Superb value for money; reasonably priced.

 

More than 90% of our guests felt that we achieved our Vision. Comments: Yes and have exceeded it; Good progress towards it; Excellent experience; Under promise & over deliver; Good security; Staff made it special; really enjoyed BC; Pity no bar/restaurant; Far surpassed other accommodation; Exceeded your vision; BELMORE(Best Enniskillen Leisure – More Opportunities to Relax and Enjoy.

 

Belmore Court and Motel triumphs at CIM awards

It’s already been an award-winning year for the Belmore Court and Motel which is celebrating again this week having scooped a ‘Hospitality & Tourism Award’. The luxurious 4*star Guest Accommodation establishment in Fermanagh won the prestigious award at the thirteenth annual Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Ireland Marketing Excellence Awards 2012.

Nina Kelly Kleine and Terry McCartney from Belmore Court & Motel being presented with the award from Dr Vicky Kell - Invest NI

 

Belmore Court and Motel beat off stiff competition from entries across Ireland winning this award for its successful marketing campaigns over the last 12 months. There were 23 awards presented to Ireland’s best companies at the gala dinner which was attended by over 350 people. The event took place in the new Titanic Belfast visitorattraction, hosted by BBC Business and Economics Correspondent, Jim Fitzpatrick.

 

 

Nina Kelly Kleine, Sales & Marketing Manager, Belmore Court and Motel, says:

 

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this accolade; it’s very rewarding to have our hard work recognised at such a prestigious event. We’ve had a magnificent year winning the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Partnership initiative Award in May and commended in the Northern Ireland Serviced Accommodation award.

 

“To mark the success of these awards we have just launched our Winter Sale,slashing prices on our superior and executive rooms for 500 nights to just £39per room per night with continental breakfast.”

 

Other recognition the Belmore Court and Motel has received this year to date includes: Highly commended best viral in the DANI awards; Highly commended for Best tourism Initiative; and Highly commended in Excellence in Customer Service Award at the Fermanagh Herald Business Awards.

 

The CIM Ireland Marketing Excellence Awards were supported by key business partners Invest NI, Kantar Media and Pinnacle & Sage with event support from Stakeholder, Belleek Living, Eyesparks and Press Eye. Guests enjoyed entertainment from swing singer Dave Martin while Richard Williams, CEO of NI Screen delivered an impressive video showing over 40 Northern Ireland locations that have been used as recent film and TV locations.

 

CIM Ireland received a record number of entries in 2012, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, reflecting the promotional lead given by the ‘Our Time, Our Place’ marketing campaign. Judges were so overwhelmed by the outstanding volume and the quality of entries that they had to extend the judging process, which took place in September, by one week.

 

Congratulating the winners, John Edmund, CIM Ireland Chairman, said:

 

“CIM has been supporting excellence in marketing by Irish businesses for over 50 years now and since the awards programme began the quality of the submissions has impressed the judging panel more than the year before. Congratulations are due to all the companies who entered this year but particularly to the winners as the competition was greater than ever. I am confident that I speak for everyone when I say this years Awards have been a huge success and that is due to the excellent businesses that have entered.

 

“In 2012 we have seen local businesses create fantastic promotional campaigns that have been creative and impactful far beyond these shores, we have seen new product and service developments becoming more and more commonplace not only within large corporations but also within the SME sector and, encouragingly, we have seen long established companies focus on marketing to fight off the new found competition.

 

“I am grateful to each of our sponsors and support partners, each one of them a successful brand that recognises the importance of professional marketing within their business. Marketing grows businesses, so marketing success needs to be recognised and promoted - the support that out partners and sponsors provide make that possible.”

 

 

Visit www.cimireland.net to view all the winning companies and find out more about CIM’s activities in Ireland.

 

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Nina Kelly Kleine:

T: 028 6632 1973 or M: 075 9044 5603

 

Notes to editors:

Marketing Excellence Awards 2012 Winners are listed below:

 

Industry

Engineering:     Whale (Munster Simms Engineering Ltd)

Food & Drink:    Premier Foods

Chemicals, Plastics, Pharmaceuticals and related industries:             Almac

Alternative Energy & other Green Technologies: Simple Power

IT Software and Hardware:      Maildistiller

Building and Civil Engineering Industries:       Mivan

Tourism and Hospitality Public Sector:            Belfast Zoological Gardens

Tourism and Hospitality Private Sector:           Belmore Court and Motel

Arts, Heritage & the Creative Industries:         National Museums Northern Ireland

Business Services:         Aspray Property Services

Social Economy Businesses, Charities and other non-for-profit: Employers for Childcare Charitable Group

Retail:   Sliderobes

Campaign/Professional

Best Sales Campaign – Small Company:          Mash Direct Ltd

Best Sales Campaign – Medium/Large Company:      George Best Belfast City Airport

Best Brand Development Campaign – Small Company:          Vita Liberata

Best Brand Development Campaign – Medium Company:     NITB & AV Browne

Best Brand Development Campaign – Large Company:         Clerys & Koh Creative

Best New Product / Service Introduction Campaign – Small Company:         Treatticket.com

Best New Product / Service Introduction Campaign – Medium Company: Whale (Munster Simms Engineering Ltd)

Best New Product / Service Introduction Campaign – Large Company: Linwoods

Individual/Professional Achievement

Senior Marketing and Sales Professional of the Year: Niamh Taylor (Sliderobes)

New Marketing Professional: Leanne Rice (Aspray Property Services)

First Time Entrant Award: Ulster GAA

 

The Chartered Institute of Marketing:

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading international professional marketing and sales body with members worldwide. First established in 1911 it defines the marketing and sales standards that operate in the UK and is the global champion of best marketing and sales practice. The institute exists to develop both the marketing and sales professions, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing and sales practitioners, enabling them to deliver exceptional results for their organisations. It does this by providing membership, qualifications and training to marketing and sales professionals and businesses around the world. Visit www.cim.co.uk for more information.

Belmore Court is the only Fermanagh winner at the 2012 NITB Tourism Awards

An audience of over 300 members of the local tourism industry played a leading role at Belfast’s Grand Opera House last night as the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards took centre stage.

Leading local acts such as comedians Nuala McKeever and Grimes and McKee, as well as theatrical, street and circus performers all reflecting Northern Ireland’s history, stories and culture were involved in presenting each award from the Opera House stage.

Organised by the NITB in partnership with DiageoNorthern Ireland, the awards cover 11 categories that showcase the very best in local tourism provision.

The Belmore Court and Motel won the Partner Initiative category and Commended in the Serviced Accommodation category.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister ArleneFoster said: “Northern Ireland is achieving something tremendously positive as we move through 2012 and into 2013 and beyond.

“We’ve seen substantial investment in infrastructure projects and important private sector-led developments including hotels, restaurants and other services. Over 200 publicly funded projects have leveraged new capital investment of some £300 million.

“I fully recognise that those in the industry have worked extremely hard to forge new, dynamic and prosperous businesses that will benefit the visitor, the industry and ultimately the Northern Ireland economy."

“I congratulate tonight’s winners. They have set the bar high in terms of quality, customer service and the visitor experience they are delivering. I encourage others to follow their lead and make the Northern Ireland tourism industry truly world-class.”

Awards were presented in a variety of categories, including Excellent Events, Taste of Northern Ireland and Best Visitor Experience.

In the Northern Ireland Heroes category, which acknowledges an individual’s involvement and impact on local tourism, the award went to Paula McFetridge, artistic director at multi-award-winning theatre company Kabosh. Paula has created numerous indigenous pieces of theatre celebrating the best of Northern Ireland.

The Lyric Theatre, which has enjoyed a fantastic first year in its new landmark building, received the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award.

Other award winners included the Causeway Lodge on the north Antrim coast, which scooped best Serviced Accommodation, The Dundrum Inn, which won the Taste of Northern Ireland category and Belfast Zoo, which grabbed the award for Marketing and Sales Excellence.

NITB Chairman Howard Hastings said: “The Northern Ireland tourism industry has travelled far over the last number of years, and has much to celebrate.

“Back in 2004 the industry developed a vision for Northern Ireland Tourism that cast our five signature projects in the starring roles. “Following government investment in them, NITB, working with the industry, has put in place a supporting infrastructure that animates ‘destination Northern Ireland’ and which has prepared the tourism product on the ground to deliver a quality experience for the expected increase in visitors.

“We now have a set of world-class tourism products, totally unique to us, which is all being brought to life right now by a fantastic programme of events in the ni2012 Our Time, Our Place campaign.

“The Titanic Festival alone included 120 events and we have much, ,uch more to look forward to.”

Diageo sponsored the awards for the fourth year in a row. Michael McCann, Country Director, Diageo Northern Ireland said: “Diageo Northern Ireland is delighted to support the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards for a fourth consecutive year. This partnership is part of our ongoing commitment to support the development of a vibrant tourism and hospitality sector.

“At Diageo, we are extremely proud of our locally produced brands Guinness, Bushmills, Harp and Baileys. They enrich visitor experiences and are helping to build a lasting legacy of first class hospitality.

“As the expectations of our visitors continue to rise, it is important that we make the most of these opportunities and recognise that we all have a role to play in the continued development of our  tourism industry as a thriving part of a sustainable Northern Ireland economy.”

The full list of winners was as follows.

>> Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

Lyric Theatre

>> Northern Ireland Heroes

Paula McFetridge - Kabosh

>> Best Event/Festival

Belfast Music Week 2011, Belfast City Council Winner
Out to Lunch Arts Festival Highly Commended
St Patrick's Day Event at Slemish, Ballymena Borough Council Commended
The International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress 2011, Happening Conferences and Events Commended

>> Best Visitor Experience

Todds Leap Winner
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum / National Museums NI Highly Commended

Lyric Theatre Commended

The Jungle Commended

>> Hotel Accommodation

The Merchant Hotel Winner

Beech Hill Country House Hotel Highly Commended
Walsh's Hotel Commended
Roe Park Resort Commended

>> Marketing and Sales Excellence

Belfast Zoological Gardens Winner
Stena Line Highly Commended
Todds Leap Commended

>> Taste of Northern Ireland

The Dundrum Inn Winner
The Lime Tree Restaurant Highly Commended
Pier 36 Commended
The Brewer's House Commended

>> Serviced Accommodation

Causeway Lodge Winner
Rayanne House Highly Commended
Belmore Court and Motel Commended
Newforge House Commended

>> Non-Serviced Accommodation

Brookhall Historical Farm Winner
Victoria Apartments Highly Commended
Ballydougan Pottery Courtyard Cottages Commended
Rossahilly House Commended

>> Visitor Inspired

The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Facility, National Trust Winner
Belfast Zoological Gardens Highly Commended
Lyric Theatre Commended

>> Partner Initiative

Belmore Court and Motel Winner
Food NI Ltd Highly Commended
Patterns of the City - Belfast City Dressing Plan Campaign, Belfast City Council Commended
The Mourne Public Art Programme, Mourne Heritage Trust Commended

>> New Tourism Project
The LegenDerry RoadTrain Winner
Belfast City Bike Tours Highly Commended

1st WallPod installed in Northern Ireland at Belmore Court

The no-nonsense pro-active charity Zero Carbon World (ZCW) is dedicated to undertaking projects that reduce carbon emissions in the UK today.

To support the development of a national charging infrastructure and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, ZCW are donating 1000 Electric Vehicle (EV) ‘WallPod’ Charging Stations to businesses around the UK.

Today ZCW announce the donation of two more WallPods to The Belmore Court & Motel inEnniskillen. Belmore is the first business in Northern Ireland to join Zero Carbon World.

Each WallPod is simple, robust and reliable. Supporting both a 13-Amp socket and 32-Amp connector they enable all EV drivers to recharge overnight or ‘top up’ their vehicles as required.

“There are no restrictions to use our network. You don’t need to be a member, subscribe, pay in advance or use a smart card to access electricity. Wherever EV drivers are, they can recharge while eating, sleeping, working or simply relaxing “ said Kevin Sharpe Founder of ZCW and Chair of the Trustees. “We are extremely proud to be creating the UK’s only Open Charging Station Network”. 

Terry McCartney, owner of Belmore and The High Sherriff of Fermanagh stated: “Installing a WallPod reconfirms our commitment to reducing pollution as part of our Green Policy and is visible evidence that we support green travel.” He continued: “We are also opening our business to a relatively new market of electric vehicle owners giving them the option of an overnight charge. I am delighted that I am the first in the area to attract EV drivers to local businesses.”

Growing rapidly with 66 donations to date, ZCW is on track to install 1000 WallPod’s in the UK by the end of June 2012.

What a Christmas Present!

It's now the second week in December and we are all gearing up for Christmas. At the Belmore Court we have the Christmas tree and decorations up, the festive music is playing in the background and the staff are ready to go carol singing around Enniskillen (only joking about the carols).

Although it has continued to be very busy we now have time to reflect over our last 12 months. Our year started on a Green note when we achieved the Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award; this awards reflects our commitment to sustainable tourism by reducing waste, congestion and pollution, supporting the local businesses and enhancing the natural environment. We also retained out AA 4 Star Guest Accommodation status.

 

By the time Easter came around our Reception Team and Housekeeping Team had entered their respective Northern Ireland Hotels Federation competitions. The Reception team came runner up in the over 60 bedrooms category while the Housekeeping team won the over 60 bedrooms category beating the Killyhevlin and the Merchant Hotel. This was a fantastic achievement.

For the second year running we were commended in the Northern Ireland Tourist Board annual awards for Serviced Accommodation and we trained all our staff in Welcome Host thus becoming a Welcome Host Gold Employer. Our breakfast room and kitchen were awarded 5 stars in the Fermanagh District Council Food Safe programme.

After the Summer our marketing plan was commended in the Tourism & Hospitality section of the Chartered Institute of Ireland Marketing Excellence Awards. In the inaugural Digital Advertising Northern Ireland awards our online strategy won best in Northern Ireland while one of our viral adverts and our mobile web app received commendations.

This is where the icing on the cake arrives. As if the year had not been fantastic enough already, following a change in NITB classification and certification the Belmore Court & Motel was confirmed as 4 Star Guest Accommodation after a mystery shopper visit in December and we achieved Investors in People - Bronze award.

The IIP awards shows our commitment to oyur staff. They are an integral part of the running of our business. Without good people we wouldn't have a good business. December also seen a milestone with one of our receptionists, Arlene, being employed with me for 10 years and another employee reaching aht 5 year mark. Not bad for a relatively young business.

It's been a great year already and I hope that even in these difficult financial circumstances that we can continue to prosper and grow.   

Merry Christmas everyone.