Recipe | Portavogie Prawn & Chilli Pasta | World Wellness Weekend

Visit Belfast has announced a major tourism partnership, advancing its longstanding relationship with one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality groups, in a bid to enhance and strengthen the city’s global reputation as a premier destination.

The five-year strategic partnership with Galgorm Collection will focus on increasing visitor numbers, elevating global visibility and maximising economic impact across the region.

The partnership marks a pivotal advancement in Visit Belfast’s ongoing strategy to forge collaborative alliances with key industry stakeholders. By cultivating a unified approach to destination development and promotion, the initiative is aimed at ensuring Belfast remains competitive and thrives on the international stage.

Galgorm Collection will play a vital role as a strategic partner, enhancing Visit Belfast’s initiatives to promote the city and region internationally.

The partnership will leverage Galgorm’s extensive portfolio of award-winning hotels, luxurious spas, and fine dining restaurants, integrating them into a comprehensive destination offering, particularly within the luxury and experiential tourism sectors, while building on its established investment in the tourism and hospitality sector in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.

Gerry Lennon, CEO of Visit Belfast, said collaboration is essential to driving sustainable tourism growth, adding: “We are delighted to welcome Galgorm Collection as a strategic partner, formalising a relationship built over more than two decades of collaboration across tourism and destination development initiatives.

“Their dedication to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our goal of positioning Belfast as a world-class destination.

“Together, we can amplify our international reach, attract diverse audiences, and deliver substantial economic benefits for the city and the wider region.”

Colin Johnston, CEO of Galgorm Collection, said “This strategic partnership represents a significant opportunity to further strengthen Belfast and Northern Ireland’s position as a world-class tourism destination.

“Galgorm Collection and Visit Belfast share a common ambition to invest in tourism, enhance the local economy, and create jobs in our community.

“By working collaboratively, we will continue to elevate the region’s reputation and deliver exceptional experiences that encourage business and leisure visitors to stay longer, explore more and return time and again.”

The partnership will actively support Visit Belfast’s broader strategic objectives, including the growth of international tourism, the enhancement of the city’s competitiveness, and the delivery of inclusive economic growth. 

With Galgorm Collection’s properties serving as gateways to both Belfast and the wider Northern Ireland tourism landscape, this collaboration will help strengthen the overall visitor proposition and inspire deeper exploration of the destination.

Galgorm Resort Welcomes Local students as Part of Growing Mid and East Antrim Initiative.

Galgorm Collection, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, recently welcomed 40 local students from Cambridge House Grammar School as part of the ‘World of Work’ programme, which aims to increase awareness of the vast array of career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sectors among primary and post-primary pupils.  

Following a successful pilot in 2025, the Council funded programme demonstrates how classroom skills and learning translate directly into the workplace, and to challenge some of the common misconceptions that still surround the industry by showcasing the variety of rewarding pathways available.

The World of Work initiative follows an expanded programme this year, which will see a total of 54 sessions delivered across seven primary schools and eight post-primary schools at various hospitality and tourism venues within the Mid and East Antrim area. 

Speaking at the event in Galgorm Resort, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, welcomed the programme, saying: “It is fantastic to see the continued success and expansion of the World of Work programme. Hospitality and tourism are vital to our local economy, and initiatives like this will help young people understand the exciting and diverse career opportunities available right here in Mid and East Antrim. 

“By engaging directly with employers, pupils are gaining valuable insight, building confidence, and developing skills that will support them in their future careers. We hope all the pupils will enjoy the sessions and consider entering either of these sectors and work locally.”

Partner organisations involved in delivering sessions alongside Galgorm Resort include the Tullyglass House Hotel, the Adair Arms Hotel, the Harbourview Hotel, Papa Browns and Tourism NI which provided VR-based experiences for primary and secondary pupils.

The initiative also aims to strengthen relationships between schools and local employers, while encouraging young people to consider future careers within a growing and dynamic sector.

Prior to the site visit, members from Galgorm Collection’s People and Development Team visited Cambridge House Grammar School to give students a presentation about the world of hospitality. They also provided an interactive teambuilding exercise, which allowed the students to become part of the events and marketing team, creating their own events at Galgorm Collection, ranging from brunch at Parisien, murder mystery at The Old Inn, and a private pool party at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat. Students then worked together to decide how to market these events and then presented it to the class.

Following the school visit, Cambridge House Grammar School was invited to take part in a site visit to Galgorm Resort, where they were immersed in a series of hands-on experiences, designed to bring real career pathways vividly to life. From crafting mocktails behind the bar and decorating cupcakes with a Pastry Chef, to planting biodegradable plant pots to take home with the Grounds team, each activity offered a practical insight into different roles across the resort. They also explored the art of Housekeeping through bed-making and creative towel animal folding, enjoyed relaxing wellness sessions with a Spa Therapist, and gained valuable knowledge around food and nutrition, with a qualified Personal Trainer who demonstrated exercises that can be done at home, and lastly met with the Health and Safety (H&S) team who provided hands on learning about the resorts sustainability and green tourism, as well as the importance of H&S protocols in the workplace.

Laura Millar, People and Development Associate Director, Galgorm Collection added: “Programmes such as this are an invaluable way of engaging with children, their parents and schools at an early stage to open everyone’s minds to the world of careers in hospitality and tourism. At Galgorm Collection, we are delighted to deliver sessions that are both creative and practical, giving a great insight into what the various roles in our sector have to offer. 

“The enthusiasm and engagement shown by the students has been really encouraging. It underlines the importance of initiatives like this in developing future talent by showcasing the wide range of opportunities available within the industry, challenging common misconceptions, and helping students recognise hospitality and tourism as a dynamic and rewarding career path. We are proud to play a role in supporting the next generation.

“The programme continues to attract strong positive feedback from both schools and employers, with high levels of pupil participation demonstrating the value of practical, experience-based learning in influencing and shaping future career ambitions.”

Mr Bleakley, Careers Teacher at Cambridge House Grammar Schools, said: “Our Year 11 students are studying for their GCSE in Food and Nutrition, so this programme was a perfect addition to their studies. It was exceptionally well received, and it was a wonderful opportunity to get outside the classroom and get a taste of the world at work.”

Through initiatives like World of Work, Galgorm Collection continues to invest in skills development locally, helping young people explore career pathways and supporting the long-term growth of hospitality and tourism across Mid and East Antrim.

Homegrown team crowned national champions as Galgorm Sauna Masters progress to world championship playoffs.

The team at Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel and spa resort Galgorm have celebrated a major success at this year’s UK Aufguss Championships. Sauna Masters Zak Moore and Jack Strange were crowned Team Performance Champions at the 2026 competition, hosted in Galgorm’s Thermal Spa Village. The duo, whose win comes after a highly competitive two-day contest will now represent the UK at the Aufguss World Masters (Aufguss WM) Playoffs in the Netherlands this August.

The victory marks a standout moment for the Ballymena-based team, with Zak Moore also securing second place in the newly introduced Modern Classic category, further cementing his position as one of the UK’s leading Aufguss practitioners. Zak entered the year as the reigning UK Aufguss Champion, having represented the UK at the World Championships Finals in Verona, Italy in September 2025, and continuing an impressive run on the national stage.

Hosted at Galgorm from 20–22 April, the UK Aufguss Championships for 2026 brought together top Sauna Masters from across the country to compete in a series of immersive sauna performances, judged by an international panel of experts including Deborah Carr, Director of the British Sauna Society, and Lasse Eriksen, President of Aufguss WM.

Deborah Carr, Director of the British Sauna Society, commented: “Bringing the UK Aufguss Championships to Galgorm has been a real highlight. They’ve created an exceptional platform for Sauna Masters, and their passion for authentic sauna experiences makes them a natural partner for this event. 

“What’s most exciting is the continued growth of the UK Aufguss scene, with increasingly creative and confident performances each year. We’re proud to see this year’s winners go on to represent the UK internationally.”

Aufguss - meaning “infusion” - is a European sauna ritual that combines heat, essential oils, music and choreographed towel techniques to create a deeply sensory wellness experience. While the Performance category - where Zak and Jack claimed the Team title - showcases theatrical storytelling and creative expression, the Modern Classic category, in which Zak placed second, strips the ritual back to its core elements, focusing on technical precision, atmosphere, and the mastery of heat and fragrance.

Speaking following the Galgorm team’s win, Zak Moore said: “To win gold for the Team Performance title at the UK Aufguss Championships, on home soil at Galgorm and in front of a home crowd, is incredibly special. Competing alongside Jack and representing the place where my Aufguss journey began made it even more meaningful. 

“The Modern Classic category was a completely different challenge - it really tests your fundamentals - so to place in both is something I’m really proud of. We’re excited to take our experience forward, build on our craft, and see how we can perform at the next level.”

Jack Strange added: “There’s a real sense of momentum around Aufguss and sauna culture in the UK right now, so to be part of that - and to bring a title home to Galgorm - is a fantastic feeling. 

“Competing as a team with Zak adds another level of connection and trust, and I think that really came through in our performance. The atmosphere across the championships this week has been incredible, and we’re really looking forward to taking that energy with us as we step onto the international stage.”

Zak and Jack will compete in the Aufguss WM Playoffs at Thermen Bussloo in the Netherlands from 27–30 August, where they will be aiming to secure a place at the Aufguss World Championships finals in Germany in September.

Their success reflects Galgorm’s continued investment in sauna culture and its growing reputation as a leading destination for immersive thermal spa experiences.

Tara Moore, Associate Director of Spa Operations at Galgorm, commented: “We are incredibly proud of Zak and Jack and what they have achieved this week. Hosting the UK Aufguss Championships once again at Galgorm, and seeing our own team succeed at this level, is a powerful reflection of the passion, skill and dedication within our spa team. 

“Aufguss is an integral part of the spa experience we offer to our guests, and moments like this reinforce Galgorm’s position as a leading destination for authentic sauna ritual in the UK and Ireland.”

With a destination spa that attracts visitors from across the UK, Ireland and beyond, Galgorm continues to champion the evolution of modern wellness, blending time-honoured sauna rituals with contemporary wellbeing experiences and spa treatments.

To find out more about the transformative Celtic Sauna Infusion experience at Galgorm, led by the 2026 UK Aufguss Team Champions Zak Moore and Jack Strange, visit: 

https://www.galgorm.com/celtic-sauna.html

Leading Northern Ireland hospitality group Galgorm Collection is proud to announce its inaugural sponsorship of the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 which takes place on May 4-9.

With a portfolio spanning hotels, resorts, restaurants and golf experiences in Northern Ireland, Galgorm Collection is one of the province’s major employers and a longstanding champion of initiatives that drive tourism, sport and economic development in local communities. 

The internationally renowned road race attracts tens of thousands of spectators to the North Coast each year, cementing its place as one of motorcycle sport’s most thrilling spectacles and one of Northern Ireland's most prestigious sporting events.

‘Northern Ireland has a rich and proud history with road racing and that heritage is exactly what drew us to the North West 200,’ Colin Johnston, Galgorm Collection CEO, said.

‘Becoming a sponsor for the first time this year felt like a natural step. Supporting economic development in the communities where we operate is central to what we do at Galgorm Collection, and the North West 200 shares that ethos entirely. The event delivers real, tangible benefits, for local businesses, for tourism and for the wider region.’

‘We're genuinely excited to be part of it, and our team at Galgorm is looking forward to attending in just a few weeks’ time and would like to wish the organisers and riders the very best of luck.’ 

Leigh Heggarty, Director of Business Development at Galgorm Collection, added.

‘The sponsorship forms part of the Collection’s wider community engagement which includes charitable initiatives, educational partnerships and collaboration with schools, clubs and organisations across Northern Ireland. Galgorm Collection remains committed to delivering positive economic and social impact alongside its continued growth.

‘This race has been part of the fabric of Northern Irish life for almost a century,’ Mervyn White, Briggs Equipment North West 200 Race Director, said in welcoming the support.

‘That is a remarkable legacy and one we could not sustain without the backing of our sponsors. Galgorm Collection’s involvement will help us deliver a memorable world class event that attracts riders and fans from around the world, while generating a significant economic boost for the area.’