Dodds goes wireless in the walled city

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds, took a wireless digital tour of ‘Derry City Walls’ today, as he launched a new, state-of-the-art, multi-media tourist guide.

This wireless guide project, which has just been completed, is one aspect of the “Walled City to Wireless City” project. This is a broadband flagship initiative, launched in June 2005 by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The wireless digital tour will provide visitors with an interactive experience as they walk along the Walls.

“Walled City to Wireless City” brought together an innovative partnership of Derry City Council, the University of Ulster and North West Institute of Further and Higher Education. It will eventually create a wireless working environment in the city for students, residents and tourists alike.

During the tour of the City Walls, Minister Dodds said: “Tourism is an increasingly important industry in the North West and across Northern Ireland as a whole. High tech initiatives such as this will ensure that we remain at the forefront of innovative tourism products and excellent visitor servicing.”

NITB Chief Executive Alan Clarke commented “In addition to the ‘Walled City to Wireless City’ project, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) identified the Walled City of Derry as one of its five key ‘Signature Projects’. These five were identified for their potential to deliver world-class excellence for tourism. Innovative projects, such as this wireless tour guide, will become an essential part of the tourism product in Londonderry. It will provide easily accessible visitor servicing information and will significantly enhance the Walled City as a tourist destination.

“Phase One of the NITB’s Walled City Signature Project was completed recently and included projects such as visitor signage and orientation, the regeneration of the Tower Museum, the Armada exhibition and the production of a conservation plan for the historic city walls. I look forward to seeing the progress of Phase Two.”

Integrated Development Funding, worth £9.1 million, has been earmarked to carry out Phase Two. This includes the introduction of a city lighting scheme and a culture and animation programme. It will also involve the creation of a built heritage programme which will include the restoration of a number of buildings along the city walls.

In addition to the wireless tour guide aspect of the “Walled City to Wireless City” project, wireless university campus and council services have been created. The campus initiative enables students to have remote access to information and provides a more flexible approach to teaching and learning. The wireless council meanwhile, provides e-meeting and easy access information for councillors and staff.

John Meehan, Director of Development, Derry City Council believes that such innovation marks positive progress for the city.

Mr Meehan said: “All aspects of the “Walled City to Wireless City” project continue to raise the city’s profile as a location capable of working with cutting edge technology and ideas. Presenting the heritage of the city and its walls in such an innovative way strengthens our appeal and enhances the visitor experience.

“In a very competitive environment, progress in tourism can be measured by innovation. The wireless city project certainly brings a fresh approach to our tourism offer which is complimented by the wireless system that covers the historic city centre. This enables tourists, citizens and businesses to avail of free internet access for a limited period, making Derry one of the first wireless enabled city centres in the UK.”

NITB chairman Tom McGrath is also optimistic about the project and its potential to deliver international standout on the travel map and inspire pride in its residents. Mr McGrath commented: “The main objective of the Walled City Signature Project is to develop a competitive product that will attract more visitors to the region. The success of this project in achieving its tourism potential can be attributed to the integration of the walled area, physically, socially and economically with the surrounding cityscape. The developments to date bode well for the successful implementation of Phase Two.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Walled City Wireless project is a partnership between Derry city Council, the University of Ulster and North West Institute of Further and Higher Education. In September 2005 it won the Best Wireless Project at the prestigious Communication Business Awards ceremony in London. The initiative received part-funding from the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.
2. Walled City to Wireless City project includes the wireless enablement of the historic city centre, digital hand-sets for the city walls which tell the history of the city, new mediums for students to participate in learning and classes and new ways for elected members to participate in meetings,
3. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board identified the Walled City of Derry as one of its five key ‘Signature Projects’ as part of its Strategic Framework for Action 2004 – 2007
4. The Walled City Signature Project is a result of collaboration between NITB, Ilex, Derry City Council, DOE - Environment and Heritage Service, Department of Social Development and Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau.
5. The remaining aspects of the wireless campus and council services project will be completed in June 2007. The initiative received financial support from the European Regional Development Fund, through the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.
6. Media enquiries to DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9510.