34th Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards Launches at The Big Travel Trade Event

10 June 2026

The 34th Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards has officially launched at the Big Travel Trade Event with voting now open.

This year’s Awards evening will welcome two new awards, three re-imagined awards and two new sponsors!

Oceania Cruises and the Isle of Man Tourist Board join the list of sponsors for the first time. Both have committed to investing heavily in the province and the support of our local travel agents.

The pre-dinner drinks reception will be hosted by Norwegian Cruise Line once again, including a sparkling welcome drink.

Peter Corry Productions will return to kickstart the evening with a show-stopping performance, this year sponsored by fabulous Las Vegas, in association with Travel Solutions and Aer Lingus.

Once again, Jet2holidays will sponsor the evening’s entertainment programme with Salou returning as drink sponsors.

The Awards will also grant a warm welcomed return to local comedian Paddy Raff; Paddy returns for what will be his third Awards night, taking on his role as host for the evening. Having gone from strength to strength on the comedy scene, he has quickly become one of Ireland’s best-selling comedic acts. His latest venture includes presenting BBC Sounds ‘Hot Takes’ comedy panel show.

The NI Travel & Tourism Awards aim to reflect the changes and developments in the industry. To continue this, Northern Ireland Travel News, the organisers of the Travel & Tourism Awards, has introduced two new awards, and two re-imagined awards.

This includes ‘Best Use of Social Media by NI Travel Agent 2026’. This award recognises excellence in social media by Travel Agents who are successfully using social platforms to grow their online presence, engage audiences, strengthen brand awareness and deliver measurable business impact between November 2025- September 2026. Applications are opened to all individual retail travel agency stores and non-retail travel agents.

This year will also welcome the introduction of the ‘Best Transatlantic Airline 2026’ and ‘Best Ultra Luxury Cruise Company 2026’ will replace the previous ‘Best Luxury Cruise Company’ award. This change was brought about with the feedback from travel agents to fully differentiate the cruise categories.

Sponsored by the Spanish Tourist Office, the newly-named ‘Best in Sustainability Innovation Award 2026’ returns.

This Award category celebrates those travel companies that demonstrate innovative sustainability practices throughout their business operations that lead to better use of resources, nurture healthy ecosystems, advance environmental and societal wellbeing, promote a fair and inclusive visitor economy, and/or tackle climate change.

Changes have also been made to the ‘Tourist Information Centre 2026’ award, with four finalists being mystery shopped ahead of the Awards night.

The NI Travel & Tourism Awards will also welcome a returning award – the ‘NI Tourism Industry Award 2026’. This award will recognise an individual or company who over the years have made a significant contribution to the Northern Ireland Tourism Industry.

The Awards are only made possible with the continued support of the generous sponsors. Thank you to Stena Line, Travel Solutions, Sani Ikos Group, British Airways and Spanish Tourist Office who return as category sponsors and with the introduction of Isle of Man Tourist Board and Oceania Cruises – our brand-new category sponsors.

Get involved – nominate your top Tourist Attraction, Visitor Information Centre, Travel Consultant and Travel Agency and you could win one of four great short break hotel/accommodation prizes.

The prizes on offer include an overnight stay in one of four top hotels across the province – the Slieve Donard Hotel, the Ebrington Hotel, the Crowne Plaza and the Marcus Hotel.

Revealing that this year’s Awards will take place on Friday 9th October at the iconic Slieve Donard Hotel, Jonathan Adair of NI Travel News said:

“I am delighted to have you all back here with us to look forward to the launch of another fantastic Awards. It is always a wonderful evening for the local travel trade after a hard year and is strongly supported by all areas of our industry.

The awards are always about making memories and I hope we will create some great ones on the 9th October.”

Voting is now open on the NI Travel News website – www.nitravelnews.com/competitions and is also available in the June edition of Northern Ireland Travel News.

Contact The Slieve Donard Hotel directly to book your room now.

Tables of 10 are available to book now – contact Abbie@nitravelnews.com.

VOTE NOW!

The full list of Awards for the 2026 NI Travel and Tourism Awards in Association are:

Category 1 Sponsored by Stena Line