Cliste Hospitality Secures IHF Quality Employer Accreditation

Athlone, 13 January 2026 — Cliste Hospitality has achieved significant recognition at the inaugural Irish Hotels Federation Quality Employer Awards, with nine hotels across its portfolio accredited for excellence in people development and HR best practices. The awards were presented earlier today at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone.

The Irish Hotels Federation Quality Employer Programme recognises hotel groups and teams that demonstrate a sustained commitment to leadership, employee engagement and best-in-class people practices. For Cliste Hospitality, the accreditations provide independent validation of the group’s long-term investment in its teams and the strength of its operating model.

At the awards ceremony, more than 70 hotels from across Ireland were recognised as Quality Employers. Cliste Hospitality delivered one of the strongest performances of any group represented, with eight hotels achieving Expert Quality Employer accreditation. These included the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Sligo, Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone, Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Limerick, Tullamore Court Hotel, The Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel, Hillgrove Hotel and Spa in Monaghan, Springfield Hotel, and Muckross Park Hotel and Spa. In addition, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cork was accredited at Certified level.

Speaking at the event, Irish Hotels Federation President Michael Magner said:

Each and every property that participates in our Quality Employer Programme is striving for the same goal – to make their hotel a wonderful place to work and build a career. The importance of this cannot be overstated; our people are the beating heart of our industry… With over 67,000 livelihoods directly supported by hotels and guesthouses and over 270,000 supported by our wider tourism industry. As we can all attest, empowered and supported people make such a vital contribution to our sector – they are the defining characteristic of any successful hotel.”

The IHF Quality Employer Programme independently assesses participating hotels across key areas including leadership, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and workplace wellbeing. Accreditation is awarded following a rigorous evaluation and external verification process.

For Cliste Hospitality, the recognition underscores a strategic, people-led approach to hospitality that supports operational excellence, guest experience and sustainable long-term business performance across its hotel portfolio.