LISTEN: OBE for Northern Ireland’s most successful hotelier

By Cate McCurry, PA

One of Northern Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs has been made an OBE.

Belfast hotelier Lord Diljit Singh Rana said he is “delighted” to be recognised for his commitment to the tourism and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rana, who was made MBE in 1996, has dedicated most of his life to building his hospitality business empire over the last five decades.

After opening a cafe in Belfast, he grew his business and founded Andras Hotels, which includes the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, two Ibis hotels and Hampton by Hilton.

The Indian-born hotelier has committed to Belfast’s hospitality industry, creating thousands of jobs during a time when many entrepreneurs left Belfast during the Troubles.

Lord Rana, who is chairman of Andras House Ltd, made the New Year Honours list for services to business and to the economy in Northern Ireland.

“I feel greatly honoured, it is totally unexpected,” Lord Rana said.

Lord Rana

“We have been living in Belfast the last 54 years and my commitment has always been to Northern Ireland and the city of Belfast.

“We have seen a lot of change over the years and hopefully we are going into better times.

“Brexit has made things difficult as we were doubtful as to how it would turn out but I think the (post-trade) agreement has finally given us some hope.

“We look forward to better times, and my commitment and company’s commitment has always been here.

“We never stopped investing in Belfast, whether it was the banking crash, all the Troubles we experienced in the 1970s and 80s when other people thought it was madness to build a hotel in Belfast – I was the first one to build a new hotel which opened in 1990.

“After the Europa (hotel) nobody built a hotel in Belfast. Now we own eight hotels and brought international brands to Belfast.

“I have been here since 1966, first working in restaurants then onto hotels. The most difficult time was the Troubles but then the second most difficult period has been this year. We would never have imagined what is happening.”

The hospitality sector has been one of the biggest casualties throughout the pandemic, with restrictions forcing thousands of hotels, restaurants and bars to close.

Lord Rana said while it’s been one of the most difficult years for his business, he has tried to stay in contact with his customers and keep as many of his employees in jobs.

“There were so many lockdowns and we are still in lockdown, so we have kept in touch with our customers, held on to our staff and looked after them as they are key people to the tourism industry,” he added.

“It’s not the building – it’s the people that make it work.”

Lord Rana believes more investment should go into tourism in Northern Ireland.

“We need to work together to help the industry regain confidence,” he added.

“We need to think of other tourists things we could bring in to help the industry.

“Northern Ireland has a lot to offer.”