Welcome to the Hastings Hotel Group
For the inside track on the Northern Ireland MICE industry, look no further than Caitriona Lavery, Meetings and Incentive Sales Manager with the Hastings Hotels Group. Caitriona is well-versed on the enchantments and opportunities offered by Northern Ireland, with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Privy to a treasure trove of hidden gems and little-known facts, she enjoys sharing them far and wide with guests and colleagues.
As her guest, you might be asked: “Did you know that the Titanic was built in Belfast?” or “Did you know that the Causeway Coastal Route was voted the fourth most scenic drive in the world by Rough Guides?”
As an industry expert, Caitriona is passionate about putting Northern Ireland on the global tourism map. Since 1997, she has travelled the world selling Hastings Hotels Group’s seven prestigious properties, the largest independent hotel chain in Ireland. The Hastings family has invested £150m over the last 10 years, a testament to her unique skillset.
In recent years, the Culloden Estate & Spa and Slieve Donard Resort & Spa hotels (both part of the Hastings portfolio) have hosted many groups from the world’s leading incentive houses, including Maritz, ITA, CWT, and Galactic. Thanks to Caitriona’s role in building and maintaining relationships with key players in the local, national and international community, the hotels continue to receive groups from across the globe.
Of course, it’s not hard to appreciate the global impact of Northern Ireland, with a roll call of actors, musicians, poets, scholars, and sports stars that includes novelists C. S. Lewis and Samuel Beckett, poet Seamus Heaney, singer Van Morrison, Hollywood actor Liam Neeson, and golfer Rory McIlroy. Let’s not forget the Game of Thrones® effect on Northern Ireland screen tourism. It’s all here for visitors to experience while they stay at one of the Hastings Hotels, in the city, the country or on the coast.
Take the lavish Game of Thrones® garden party Caitriona helped to organise in the glorious grounds of the Culloden Estate & Spa, for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Using her connections, she booked a private charter train for 350 visitors, who sat back, relaxed and travelled in style while watching the Irish countryside go by. UEFA relished the rare opportunity to experience the splendour of Game of Thrones® in real life, while the five star Culloden Estate, formerly a bishop’s palace, showed its royal credentials.
Caitriona’s efforts provide the Hastings Hotel Group with many opportunities to showcase their properties, capabilities and staff. Creating rich experiences themed around artisan food and drink, art, culture and music at each of the luxurious Hastings Hotels, she goes the extra mile and offers the personal touch. The warmth of her welcome only adds to the genuinely unique experience visitors receive in Northern Ireland.