With 500,000 visitors per year, Derry is recognised as one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Ireland. Tourism is now a credible economic generator with £25m in revenue and supporting 3,500 full time jobs. Derry and the North West are experiencing consistent annual growth in day visitors, overnight stays, spend and increased dwell time in the City. 

The City is witnessing considerable physical transformation within the City Centre and in its suburbs.  Derry’s urban regeneration company is master-planning the regeneration of two former MOD, prime river-front sites comprising c.42 acres. Derry is also set to expand with residential developments earmarked at locations on the edge of the City (the H2 site alone proposes the construction of 3,500 new dwellings). There are still a number of prime sites and properties located within the City Centre which are ripe for investment and development for a range of purposes including hotel development, retail and related commercial activity. 

The physical environment within the City Centre is being transformed. The stock of historic buildings is being regenerated through the Townscape Heritage Initiative and the Built Heritage Programme. A Visitor Orientation System has been implemented and a City Lighting Scheme is planned. A major public realm improvement scheme valued at £8m is being programmed for the City Centre's two major public spaces Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place. Derry City Council is animating the public realm through its programme of monthly speciality street markets. This investment is contributing to increases in hotel occupancy rates, performance of visitor attractions and increased retail/leisure and commercial activity within the City.