Overview

With its stunning setting above the River Foyle, unique cultural and historic heritage and monumental City Walls, Derry~Londonderry has the ability to dramatically improve its economic well-being and that of the whole North West region through a substantially extended tourism offering.   With 500,000 visitors per year and growing, Derry is recognised as one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Ireland – particularly as an official host port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2012 and the first UK City of Culture in 2013.   


         
The historic core of Derry has been designated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) as one of NI’s five ‘Signature Tourism Projects’ putting the Walled City on an investment priority list alongside Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, St. Patrick in Downpatrick and Armagh and the Mourne Mountains – as world-class visitor experiences.  Tourism has also been identified as one of the key ‘catalyst programmes’ in the ‘One City, One Plan, One Voice’ Regeneration Plan for the City to accelerate the growth of tourism and cultural economy through the UK City of Culture framework.

Within this context, Derry City Council has a strategic role to play in the development of tourism in partnership with NITB, Ilex and other agencies as well as the community and private sectors.  This includes co-ordinating the Tourism Development Strategy for the City and maximising funding opportunities to underpin the Signature Tourism Project status.  We work in close partnership with Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB) whose role is to provide visitor servicing and destination marketing through the Tourist Information Centre (click here for visitor information on DVCB’s website).  You can also find a list of our strategic partners here.

Derry City Council is committed to working with key stakeholders to further develop projects and initiatives designed to make Derry a must-see visitor destination, achieve international recognition for its historic City Walls and to fully exploit the economic benefits of tourism within the City and wider region – including the rural areas.  The Tourism Development Team is happy to provide advice, support and sign-posting to assist anyone thinking of setting up tourism-related activities - click here for contact details.

Sample of current projects/activities: 

• Walled City Signature Project
• Rural Tourism
• Events and Animation

Further information:

• Tourism Development Team
• Tourism Development Strategy 2009-2012
• Latest News
• Our strategic partners
• Our rural partners
• Useful links for visitors