Rioja Wine is inviting Ireland’s sommeliers and on-trade buyers to apply for a place on the very first Rioja Somm’er School – a three-day educational trip to the region.  In the lead-up, Liam Campbell is taking us on a journey around Rioja, exploring its 100km of Diversity.  To secure a place on the trip and experience Rioja in person, please sign up here. This April edition continues the story of Rioja with a focus on diversity and the complementary synergy between Rioja’s wines and gastronomy, with endorsements from wineries and globally awarded sommeliers. I caught up recently wi ..read more

Here’s what’s in the April 2024 Issue of Hotel & Restaurant Times magazine Updates: Latest news & appointments from the hospitality industry Editorial: New Leader, Same Old Problems! Spotlight On: Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland Hotel Tech: GuestPay Integrated Payment Solutions People: Malte Half, Head Chef at Glas Restaurant Feature: State of the Art Staff Accommodation at The Europe Hotel & Resort Feature: Rioja, Wines of Spain – Sustainable Environments Digital: Website Accessibility for All – IA Labs Digital: Eye of the Camera – CK Studios In the latest April 2024 magazine ..read more

Shannon Airport set to reach the 2 million passenger mark by the end of 2024 Airport poised for highest level of traffic since 2009 Following a year of strong growth, Shannon Airport is gearing up to reach the 2 million passenger mark by the end of 2024, the first time since 2009. According to Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, growth across all key air services in 2023 surpassed expectations. Ms Considine was commenting following today’s publication of The Shannon Airport Group’s 2023 annual report. Strong Passenger Growth “2023 saw us welcome 1.959 million passengers, a 29% in ..read more

Debbie Moran, Fáilte Ireland; Roxana Ciontu, The G Hotel & Spa; Natasha Johnston, Tourism Ireland; and Mylène Campalto, Moloney & Kelly, at Connections Luxury EuropeTargeting luxury holidaymakers for Ireland Tourism Ireland is promoting Ireland at Connections Luxury Europe in Costa Brava in Spain this week. The g Hotel & Spa and Moloney & Kelly are also attending. Connections Luxury Europe is a four-day event which connects luxury hotels and suppliers with around 120 high-end global travel buyers. It involves a series of bespoke one-to-one appointments, as well as more informal ..read more

Óscar López, Página Dos presenter (left), with Brian McCormick, Seamus Heaney Homeplace200,000 TV viewers across Spain to learn about Ireland’s rich literary heritage Around 200,000 Spaniards will tune into a cultural and literary TV programme called Página Dos (which means ‘Page Two’) next month and will hear about some of our literary greats. Filming for the 30-minute episode, which will air on Spain’s national TV station TVE, was supported by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI. Thousands more will read content about Ireland on the programme’s social channels. Viewers will see pr ..read more

Leading golf journalists from Germany, Sweden and Denmark at Royal County Down800,000 golf fans across Europe to read all about Northern Ireland’s world-class golf Around 800,000 golf fans across Europe – and potential golf holidaymakers for Northern Ireland – are set to read all about our superb courses, following a visit by leading golf journalists from Germany, Sweden and Denmark. The journalists were here as guests of Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Ahead of the Irish Open this September, the group had the opportunity to test their skills at Royal County Down. They also playe ..read more

Included are Deirdre Staples, Stefano Cremonese, Katriona Hourihan, Roger Russell and Catt McCarthy. Pic: Brian LougheedTrigon team members swap screens for scenery for Workplace Wellbeing Day Trigon Hotels will be taking a break from their laptops and computers this Friday for Workplace Wellbeing Day. Team members will be switching off from their emails for a morning and recharging their mental batteries. It’s one of a number of activities planned by the hotel group which comprises the Metropole Hotel and Cork International Hotel.  Trigon Hotels is committed to fostering a culture of wel ..read more

InterContinental Hotel Dublin – Junior SuiteIf you’re planning a trip to explore the City this summer why not treat yourself and your loved one to a weekend of luxury at the five-star InterContinental Dublin Located on two acres of stunning gardens, InterContinental Dublin is the capital’s only true five star urban resort where traditional luxury meets old-school glamour. Close to the city, and a short stroll from Sandymount Strand and Herbert Park the hotel is the ideal location for a well deserved escape. The Suite deal really is sweet and includes champagne on arrival and €100 hotel credit ..read more

Debi French, Group Social & Content Manager at Cliste HospitalityCliste Hospitality welcomes Debi French as our Group Social & Content Manager! Debi brings valuable worldly experience to Cliste Marketing Studio having spent the last few years travelling the globe and working remotely in the dynamic space of digital marketing. Debi’s appointment marks a full circle moment in her professional journey, having initially commenced her career with our Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork as well as previously working with our hotel portfolio The iNUA Collection. Group Director of Digital Emer ..read more

Dan Sweeney, Group Marketing Account Director at Cliste HospitalityCliste Hospitality welcomes Dan Sweeney as Group Marketing Account Director! We’re delighted to announce that Dan Sweeney has joined the Cliste Hospitality team as our Group Marketing Account Director! With Dan’s wealth of experience and passion for driving strategic marketing initiatives, he will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing marketing campaigns that drive growth and success across the Cliste Hospitality portfolio. Dan brings with him a proven track record of success in developing and implementing comprehensive ..read more