Belmore Court & Motel puts customers first and is awarded WorldHost Recognised Business status

The Belmore Court and Motel in Enniskillen  has become the latest organisation in Northern Ireland to gain national recognition for its commitment to customer service, after being awarded WorldHost Recognised Business status.

Charlotte Wilson along with the Belmore Court & Motel team

WorldHost is a world-class customer service training programme that has already been used to train nearly one million people worldwide, including front-line staff in hospitality, tourism and passenger transport for sporting and cultural events across the UK.

WorldHost Recognised Business status is awarded to businesses that have trained 50% or more of their front line staff using any of the WorldHost training programmes and signed a commitment to delivering excellent customer service. With over 100% of its staff trained to WorldHost standards, Belmore Court and Motel has officially become a WorldHost Recognised Business.

On receiving the recognition, Terry McCartney, Manager commented:  “We are passionate about service standards and are incredibly proud to have achieved WorldHost Recognised Business status. When our customers see the WorldHost logo displayed in our business, they’ll know that we have made a commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for them. Not only does this generate a positive buzz about the service we offer, but it helps to promote Fermanagh as a friendly and welcoming tourist destination. ”

The Belmore Court and Motel offers a variety of accommodation to suit the needs of all travellers, featuring 30 standard bedrooms with mini kitchen with appeals to the guest who prefers the self catering aspect of travelling to Superior and Executive bedrooms for the guest who enjoys luxury these rooms include breakfast.   

Howard Hastings, Mary & Terry McCartney, Arlene Foster, Alan Simpson and Sarah Travers

Last week the Belmore Court and Motel scooped the highly commended award for serviced accommodation at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board awards.   The tourism awards cover a total of 10 categories and three special awards. Over thirty businesses, initiatives and events were awarded for their contribution to tourism at an annual gala ceremony which celebrates and showcases the very best of Northern Ireland's local tourism industry.  There was an extra edge to this year's ceremony as it reflected the successes and achievements of 2012, a massive year for tourism as a result of the ni2012 campaign.

 

Terry McCartney receives the certificate from Alastair McGowan (NITB)

The WorldHost programme is being rolled out in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in partnership with sector skills council, People 1st, and the Department for Employment and Learning to help businesses gain a competitive edge and position Northern Ireland as a world-class tourist destination.

Northern Ireland businesses in the hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries that employ fewer than 250 employees may be eligible for financial assistance through the Department for Employment and Learning funded package for WorldHost customer service training.

The WorldHost Recognition Certificate is valid for two years and is renewable on completion of a refresher course. In order to preserve the value of the WorldHost Recognition, the programme may be monitored through impromptu mystery shopper visits.

More information about WorldHost training in Northern Ireland can be found at www.worldhostni.com

For more information about Belmore Court and Motel contact Nina Kelly Kleine 028 6632 1974 nina@motel.co.uk

About WorldHost

WorldHost was developed by British Columbia tourism authorities and has a 20-year history. It was used for training nearly 40,000 staff and volunteers in time for the very successful 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The WorldHost programme is being rolled out in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in partnership with sector skills council, People 1st, and the Department for Employment and Learning to help businesses gain a competitive edge and position Northern Ireland as a world-class tourist destination.

WorldHost is designed to become the national standard for customer service training in the hospitality and tourism industry, and with the flexibility to provide solutions across a variety of industries.

www.worldhostni.com

Excitement builds for Beckett Festival

There are only a few months left to the first annual Happy Days Festival celebrating Samuel Beckett and as the performers are being named the booking are rolling in for 23 - 27 August 2012.

Officially know as "the World's First Annual Festival celebrating Samuel Beckett Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival", the events will take place at various venues around Enniskillen including Portora Royal School, Ardhowen Theatre & Enniskillen Castle.

There will be a wide range of events which will include the work of Samuel Beckett, influences of Samuel Beckett and events reflecting Samuel Beckett's favourite sports.

The full line up is being announced in April 2012 but already some highlighs have been mentioned; Robert Wilson with Krapp's Last Tape; Ian Bostridge singing Schubert's Winterreise and world class writers like Melvyn Bragg, Enda O'Brien and John Banville.

Happy Days is funded by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Fermanagh District Council & Northern Ireland Tourist Board. The founder and artistic director is Sean Doran.
With so much happening now's the chance to book your room to visit Enniskillen during this exciting time. www.motel.co.uk

Guaranteed a Great Reception

The 2011 Hotel and Guesthouse Receptionist of the year brought further success for the Belmore Court & Motel who were runners up it the Team Category. The property recently was awarded the title of the Best Housekeeping Team in the over 60 bedroom category has gone from strength to strength since its undergoing major development in 2010. Terry McCartney, Owner of the property said “Our aim is to provide excellent facilities and services at reasonable prices to all customers and becoming runner up in the category show that we are well on the way to achieving this goal. I’d like to thank all the team at the Belmore Court & Motel who have worked hard over the last couple of years to make the accommodation a great place to stay and work. ”

The competition is in its eighth year and had a record 95 entries this year from hotels across Northern Ireland. The event is run by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and its President, Eugene McKeever said, “There is no doubt in my mind that reception staff have a unique role to play in the operation of a successful hotel. They are our eyes and ears providing the main point of contact for guests. A smiling face at reception and a pleasant greeting over the phone is what makes customers want to come back. As the industry body, the NIHF is delighted to be able to recognise the important role that receptionists have in the hotel sector.”

Industry partners, Coca-Cola HBC NI, Avvio and the Northern Ireland Tourist board, support the competition. Eugene McKeever highlighted the importance of these partnerships saying, “the hotel industry is all about teamwork and without a great team of sponsors we would not be able to stage competitions like this. We are indebted to all those who have helped us with the competition and thank them for their commitment to the industry.”

Pete Snodden, Cool FM DJ, compered proceedings at the awards dinner, which was held in the Holiday Inn Belfast on Thursday 14th April. Sponsors, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Coca-Cola HBC NI and Avvio joined with hundreds of hotel receptionists and their managers for a night of celebration.

Winners 2011

Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year sponsored by Appletiser

Winner: Elaine Harkin, City Hotel Derry, age 38

Runner-up: Rachael Kaye Crossey, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, age 22

3rd Place: Kieva Jewell, City Hotel Derry, age 22

Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year sponsored by Avvio

Winner: Sarah Brown, Strangford Arms Hotel, Newtownards, age 27

Recognising those in the role for less than one year.

Hotel & Guesthouse Reception of the Year sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Winner: Radisson Blu Roe Park Resort, Limavady

2nd Place: Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen

Recognising the achievements of the whole reception team.

Other Finalists 2011

Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year sponsored by Appletiser

Orla Lee, Galgorm Resort & Spa, age 27

Gail Lindsay, Holiday Inn Express Antrim, age 23

Martina O'Hare, Malone Lodge Hotel & Apartments, age 23

Melanie Peachy, Bushmills Inn Hotel, age 30

Adriana Szczodrowska, Park Inn By Radisson, age 25

Anna Toriola, Benedicts Hotel Belfast, age 29

Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year sponsored by Avvio

Paul Andrews, Hilton Belfast, age 23

Leanne Kerr, Everglades Hotel, age 22

Jarmila Slugocka, Jurys Inn Belfast, age 24

Hotel & Guesthouse Reception of the Year sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Bushmills Inn Hotel

City Hotel Derry

Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast

Stormont Hotel

Tara Lodge

Background

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation successfully re-launched the competition in 2004. The event has been very well received within the sector and currently recognises excellence in three distinct categories.

The competition aims to recognise the attributes and skills of the reception function and has been reinstated after consultation with the sector and keen interest from the hotel trade. The competition also seeks to recognise international standards and competitiveness within the hospitality sector.

This award previously ran for over 20 years and was recognised as a leading accolade within the hospitality sector. The last eight years have seen the award receive significant attention from the public, press and industry including applications from over 95 hopeful contestants.

More Information

For further information please contact Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation:

Tel: 028 9077 6635 Mobile: 07799711960 Email: janice@nihf.co.uk

Minister for Tourism opens the Belmore Court & Motel

01 May 2009

Arlene Foster the Northern Ireland Minister for Tourism officially opened the new Belmore Court building along with Miss Northern Ireland, Judith Wilson and Robert Cully from the NITB

A major £2.5 million development of 30 new bedrooms was launched on Friday 1 May at 2.00pm. Flying in the face of recessionary gloom, Fermanagh-based hotelier Terry McCartney launched the new extension to theBelmore Court & Motel inEnniskillen – the only motel in the province – to a VIP audience including Tourism MinisterArlene Foster MLA; Howard Hastings, Chairman of the NITB; a select group of international tour operators; and current Miss Northern Ireland, Judith Wilson, who is a former receptionist at the motel.

The Belmore Court & Motel has been in operation for nearly twenty years, and was opened by local man, Raymond McCartney, who was inspired to build the motel after his extensive travels in the US.

Carrying the torch of Raymond’s entrepreneurial vision, son Terry has been planning the newly opened extension for four years. The latest development includes a welcome area with reception facility and lounge seating, where guests can check-in leisurely while having access to local tourist information.

Designed to be responsive to changing preferences in the marketplace and increasing consumer expectations, Terry has included a mix of doubles, triples, quad rooms and suites in the new complex. The development includes a mix of both superior and executive rooms, all larger than standard rooms, and fully furnished with extras, such as state-of-the-art flatscreen multi-channel televisions, iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi.