Gerry Lennon and Paul Grant recognised for helping transform Belfast’s tourism and connectivity

Visit Belfast Chief Executive Gerry Lennon and Stena Line Trade Director Irish Sea North, Paul Grant, were announced as dual recipients of the award at the AIB Business Eye Awards.

in the International Convention Centre Belfast on 22 October.

Organisers said they were recognising the men's decades of leadership, commitment and investment in helping to transform Northern Ireland’s visitor economy.

They said that Gerry, who retires next March, played a pivotal role in establishing Belfast as a leading international destination.

When he joined Visit Belfast as Chief Executive in 2000, the city was still emerging as a tourism destination, but under his leadership, Belfast achieved its ambitious target of attracting one million visitors five years ahead of schedule in 2004.

Since then, hotel room sales have increased by 314%, while the city welcomed 1.5 million overnight trips in 2025 and now accounts for 41% of Northern Ireland’s tourism spend, worth £493 million. Tourism directly supports more than 20,000 jobs across Belfast.

Today, Belfast is home to world-class attractions, a thriving hospitality sector, a growing cruise and business tourism industry and a vibrant cultural and events offering.

The Tall Ships, the MTV EMAs, the World Police and Fire Game, Titanic Belfast, the Giro d’Italia, right through to the record-breaking Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – they all happened under Gerry’s watch.

Meanwhile, organisers said Paul played a pivotal role in Stena Line’s growth and success in Northern Ireland over more than three decades, helping to strengthen vital transport links, facilitate trade and support the region’s visitor economy.

Having been part of Stena Line’s Belfast journey since the company established operations in the city in 1995, played a leading role in helping to position Belfast as one of the most strategically important hubs in the Swedish-owned company’s European network.

Stena Line’s operations connect Belfast with Cairnryan, Liverpool and Heysham and over 30 years recorded almost 600,000 freight units shipped on its Belfast services.

Paul Grant, Trade Director Irish Sea North at Stena Line said: “It is a tremendous honour to receive this award and to share it with Gerry, who has done so much to transform Belfast’s reputation and establish it as a destination of international significance.

“I have been fortunate to witness enormous positive change in Belfast and Northern Ireland throughout my career with Stena Line. From our early days operating out of Belfast Harbour to the major transport and logistics hub we have today, it has been an incredible journey.

He added: “I am extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone who has contributed to Stena Line’s success in Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing the region continue to grow and prosper.”

Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, said: “Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is an incredible honour and one that fills me with great pride and gratitude.

“I’m delighted to share it with Paul, whose contribution to Northern Ireland’s connectivity and economy over the years has been immense.

He added: “Looking back on my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional industry colleagues, and I want to pay tribute to their vision, dedication, energy and drive.

“In particular thanks must go to Belfast City Council for the belief and support they have given to city tourism.