Lough Erne Resort Drives Success

One of Northern Ireland's top tourist attractions, Co Fermanagh's Lough Erne Resort, has experienced some 50% year on year growth.

The first such international AA 5 star hotel in NI, it has moved from a turnover of £3.9m in 2008 to £5.8m in 2009 with a projected turnover of £8.5m this year.

Visitors from international markets are set to play an increasingly important role in the Resort's continued expansion.

Jim Treacy, owner of Lough Erne Resort, explained: "We envisage that approximately 10% of our visitors this year will come from International markets such as USA, Canada, Germany and Japan.

"The resort's unique setting within The Fermanagh Lakelands holds a significant appeal on an International level, as does The Faldo Championship Course, which opened last July.

"The 18 hole golf course has already received a number of international accolades and was rated third best International golf course of all the worldwide new designs to open in 2009, by Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine Group," he said.

"Another major attraction to International visitors is the growing reputation of Lough Erne Resort's Thai Spa, which is the most authentic Thai Spa experience outside of Thailand.

"All of the therapists are Thai nationals and Thai trained, using only traditional Thai techniques as well as Lau Erb Thai products, which ensure guests have an extremely unique experience," he said.

There are also a number of new developments planned over the next six months, which will result in further significant investment.

"We will be introducing a number of new dining experiences at the Resort in the coming months," he continued.

"Elegant dining with picturesque views of Castle Hume Lough will also be available from April at the new 16 seat glass Chef's Table in The Catalina Restaurant., where Executive Head Chef, Noel McMeel, has responsibility for preparing the specialities served in this exquisite setting," Mr Treacy said.

Jim added: "Northern Ireland has a strong track record of developing professional, world renowned golfers, not to mention our very own Touring Professional, Rory McIlroy. The Faldo Academy will provide a state of the art facility for new talent to develop.

"Last July saw the inaugural Lough Erne Challenge event, a duel golf challenge between Rory McIlroy, Lough Erne's Touring Professional, and Padraig Harrington. The event was broadcast worldwide and attracted over 500 million viewers worldwide.

"The Lough Erne Challenge will return once again this summer with four of the world's top golfers," he concluded, noting there is also planned business growth and expansion of Lough Erne Resort in the years to come, which "will undoubtedly benefit the people of Fermanagh and the area as a whole", he said.

(BMcC/GK)