NI Hotels Boosted By Staff Training Funding

A number of hotels across Northern Ireland are to benefit from new staff training funding announced by Hastings Hotels.

The group is investing almost £2 million in training to enhance the hospitality currently offered across its seven hotels.

Its hotels include The Grand Central Hotel, the Culloden Estate and Spa, the Europa hotel, the Stormont hotel, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle, the Everglades Hotel in Derry-Londonderry and Ballygally Castle on the north coast.

Speaking about the investment, MD of Hastings Hotels, Howard Hastings, said: "People are our greatest asset so naturally the ongoing training and development of our staff is of the utmost importance. This is a very exciting time for the hotel industry and we want to ensure Hastings Hotels has the infrastructure and services in place to take advantage of future opportunities.

"Tailored development programmes will be implemented across all levels of the business over the next four years, including our Executive Management, Supervisors and our Rooms and Catering teams. We want ensure that our people have the opportunity to pursue a career in the hotel industry and avail of the prospects it can open up for them.

"Our proactive partnership with Invest Northern Ireland is enabling us to enhance the satisfaction of our customers and strengthen the reputation of Northern Ireland as a world-class tourist destination."

Niall Casey, Director of Skills & Competitiveness, Invest Northern Ireland, added: "Hastings Hotels is a leading provider of Northern Ireland hospitality and we are pleased to be supporting this family business invest in the development of its 1,000 strong workforce.

"We have offered Hastings over £400,000 towards this investment which will increase its capacity and performance and contribute to the continued growth of our vibrant tourism industry. I wish the company continued success."