Whitehead woman Yvonne McIlree is the first port of call for business leaders when considering the multi award winning Titanic Hotel Belfast for spectacular events.

The Sales and Marketing Director recently earned the highest marketing accreditation in the industry and is on a mission to bring more international guests into Belfast, and Titanic Hotel specifically, as the venue marks its fifth birthday.

Yvonne McIlree, Director and Sales and Marketing, has been with the hotel since its launch in 2017 and has been driving long-term and sustainable profit for its owners as well as promoting the venue to new business. A total of 25% of the original workforce are still employed at Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel today.

Recently awarded Fellowship by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the highest level in marketing, Glasgow-born Yvonne is celebrating the hotel’s fifth anniversary while the marketing professional is also busy mapping out targets and goals for the hotel’s next five years.

“I had always wanted to be involved in a hotel opening and be part of the whole journey”, she reflected. “Being one of Belfast’s most iconic buildings and having such a rich part of Belfast’s history I was naturally attracted to Titanic Hotel Belfast and the opportunities it presented.”

And there have been many. As it’s a real family affair with Yvonne’s husband also employed at the hotel. “The business has grown so much in the last five years despite the challenges forced on us from the pandemic and I don’t see that slowing down. We are exceeding targets from 2019 and as there is still so much opportunity to grow the business, a key focus for me over the next few years is to grow our international visitors so that we are highly recognised on a global scale and as one of the world’s leading heritage hotels. Having been awarded Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel for five consecutive years can only help achieve this”, she said.

Even with three lockdowns during the first five years of trading, revenue at the hotel has increased significantly year on year, and the hotel is now operating with revenue 19% above pre-pandemic levels for overseas visitors, business events, meetings, weddings, dining and overnight accommodation.

Talking about becoming a Fellow of CIM, Yvonne added: “With recognition as a leader in our industry comes the responsibility of being a role model for others in our business and in our industry. It has reignited my passion for self-development and has allowed me to redefine my own role and ideas within the business.”

Since opening the doors of the hotel, Yvonne has been instrumental in welcoming over 174,000 guests into the lobby of what was a world leading shipbuilding HQ and greeting more than 82,000 wedding and events guests.

To reserve a room at Titanic Hotel Belfast, please visit www.titanichotelbelfast.com and follow the hotel on at www.facebook.com/titanichotelbelfast; www.instagram.com/titanichotelbelfast; and www.twitter.com/titanichotelbel.