The achievement of Belfast International Airport in almost doubling its passenger numbers in the last few years was recognised at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards.


The Airport received the Northern Ireland Special Achievement Award from VIP guest, Coronation Street's Karen McDonald (Suranne Jones) at the Awards gala in the Slieve Donard Hotel on Friday (October 15). And Suranne herself, one of Corrie's biggest stars and best-known personalities, was also unanimously voted a winner by the 400 decision makers and their guests from the travel and tourism industry who helped make the 13th Awards gala the best yet.

The Awards, once again organised by Northern Ireland Travel and Leisure News and sponsored by Worldspan, were again hosted by TV personality Angela Rippon. The Special Achievement Award recognised the Airport's efforts in landing a whole string of new direct routes recently, bringing a boost for Ulster travellers but just as importantly giving impetus to the local tourism industry by improving access to the Province from mainland Europe and the US.As well as the recently announced direct air service to New York which will open up an important gateway to the huge American market, the Airport has secured new direct daily scheduled routes to Paris, Malaga, Alicante, Nice, Barcelona and Prague - all in the last year or so And this at a time of recession for the world airline industry.Meanwhile, a Northern Ireland businesswoman was honoured for her success in the travel industry in Spain and for her part in adding new direct services to the Continent from her native Province.

Portrush-born Olivia Mullan, as Commercial Director of Spanish tour giant Servitour, not only has been active in setting up new routes between her home Province and her adopted country, but has also been spreading the word about Northern Ireland to Spanish travel agents. For her efforts, Olivia was honoured with the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Personality of the Year Award.

Another major award, for the Best Northern Ireland Marketing /Event Initiative, went to the Northern Ireland Milk Cup and its organisers who this year celebrated their 21st successful year. The tournament's value to the image of the Province worldwide and in practical terms to the local tourism industry is now measured not just in thousands but in millions of pounds. Present to accept the award were two of the competition founders, Northern Ireland Boys FA stalwarts Jim Weir and Victor Leonard.

The award for the Best Tourist Information Centre in the Province went to the Belfast Welcome Centre, while the keenly contested accolade for the Best Visitor Attraction was presented to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. There were a number other noteworthy achievements, with bmi (formerly British Midland) leading the way, taking the Best UK Domestic Airline award for a record 13th time.

Twelve times winners in their respective sections were Falcon Holidays (Best Tour Operator) and Stena Line (Best Ferry/Shipping Company), while the winner of a new award Best Destination Marketing was the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Taking the Northern Ireland Travel News' Travel Student of the Year award was Jolene Turkington of American Holidays, while a new name added to the industry's Roll of Honour was that of veteran ABTA servant and public face of the industry in Northern Ireland, Joe Laffin.

The full list of Award Winners was:

• Best Tourist Information Centre - Belfast Welcome Centre
• Best Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction - Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
• Best Northern Ireland Event/Marketing Initiative - Northern Ireland Milk Cup
• Northern Ireland Special Achievement Award - Belfast International Airport
• Northern Ireland Travel News Student of the Year - Jolene Turkington
• Best Long Haul Operator - Kuoni
• Best Specialist Tour Operator - United Travel
• Best Ski Operator - Topflight
• Best UK Domestic Airline - bmi
• Best Airline Worldwide - Singapore Airlines
• Best Charter Airline - First Choice Airways
• Best Car Hire Company - Holiday Autos
• Best Cruise Line - Royal Caribbean International
• Best Coach Tour Operator - Ulsterbus
• Best Travel Internet Booking System - needahotel.com
• Best Destination Marketing - Barbados
• Best Sales Support Team to NI Travel Trade - Falcon Holidays
• Travel Trade Representative of the Year - Siobhan Boskett
• Best Ferry/Shipping Company - Stena Line
• Best Package Tour Operator - Falcon HolidaysBest Northern Ireland Multiple Retail Group - Travelcare
• Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Personality of the Year - Olivia Mullan
• Travel and Tourism Industry, Roll of Honour - Joe Laffin
• Travel Agent of the Year - Oasis Travel

More Seats at the Travel Awards

Good news for regulars who attend the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards gala each October. There will be at least 100 extra places at next year's gala event in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle. The function room is being extended and there will an absolute minimum of 25 per cent more places available, according to the event organisers.

Said organiser Jonathan Adair of Northern Ireland Travel News: "We will be revealing details of the Awards around the usual time next year, but companies who have been disappointed in the past will probably be able to get their full quota of places for next year's event. "We have always had a waiting list in the past, but the extension work at the hotel will certainly improve things.

"We will be revealing details on the 2005 Awards in June along with information on how to make bookings." Meanwhile, the hotel has again confirmed that the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards is THE formal event on the calendar in the Province. "It is a really prestigious function. People have a really good time. This is evidenced by the fact that more bottles of champagne are consumed at this event than any other function we have," said a spokesperson for the Slieve Donard.

The Awards gala is also great news each year for the local travel and tourism industry.Top movers and shakers from the industry travel from abroad to attend and all accommodation in the Newcastle area is booked up weeks in advance. Indeed, some guests even have to use hotels in Belfast and travel back in the early hours.