The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD presented a specially commissioned trophy to Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites, Galway for “Best Design in Tourism” at the first ever Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2015, at a Gala event in the Doubletree Hilton, Dublin, to celebrate the inaugural national scheme identifying those who are making major difference in the tourism industry.
Designed with the intention of rewarding innovation in tourism, significant initiatives at home and overseas and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience, the Irish Tourism Industry Awards ultimately identified Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites, Galway as a worthy winner from a very strong field of over 330 entries.
The Best design in Tourism, was a special themed award to coincide with Irish Design 2015 which is showcasing the best of Irish design at home and internationally. This award was judged by a panel selected by Irish Design 2015, which also commissioned the design of the winners’ trophies and certificates.
Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites aim is to enhance guest’s appreciation of the island by providing a style of accommodation and dining that is complementary to its unique location. The building itself is designed to blend into its landscape, with unique natural materials used to decorate the interior. Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites offers a high-end, design-led product, with the business being featured extensively in world press. 50 per cent of Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites visitors are International. For more information visit http://inismeain.com/
The awards were organised by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC ) along with sponsorship from some of ITIC’s industry members, Fáilte Ireland, and Tourism Ireland. Adjudication was carried out by an independent panel of experts chaired by Maurice Pratt, the Chairman of the Uniphar Group.
Congratulating all the winners, Minister Donohoe emphasised:
“Well done to you all. You have set a very high standard for others in the industry to aim for and, as tourism enters a period of profitability once more, I believe that you are the perfect role models for the rest of the sector as we work to sustain and build on recent growth.”
Speaking at the event, Paul Carty, Chairman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation said:
“We wanted to design an appropriate event to recognise, honour, and celebrate success, and that’s what the Irish Tourism Industry Awards are all about. It speaks volumes about the tourism sector that the quality of the entries was stunning, and every finalist would have made a brilliant winner. While, ultimately, we could only have twelve victors, I think that the real winner on the night was tourism which, despite some very challenging years, has managed to survive, thrive and provide a level of quality and innovation that is recognised globally”.
