Foster launches tourism vision for Londonderry

Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, today launched the vision for the future of tourism in Londonderry

Londonderry’s Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan, sets out the tourism vision for the City and the wider region, over the next three years. The Strategy has been created to bring economic prosperity to the local area and builds on the success of the Walled City Signature Project.

Launching the Strategy at St Augustine’s Church in Londonderry today, the Minister said: “This Strategy and Action Plan, ‘Focus on the Future', aims to increase the tourism economy of Londonderry over the next three years. It also seeks to enhance the tourism product on offer, while investing in new infrastructure and realising the full potential of the region’s unique historic and cultural assets.”

“Londonderry’s Tourism Strategy can make an important regional contribution to the Programme for Government’s tourism targets. These include increasing visitor numbers by 25% and visitor spend by 40%. In order to achieve the targets by 2010, we must ensure that the distinctiveness of Northern Ireland’s tourist destinations and attractions is recognised and promoted effectively.

“There is much that sets Londonderry apart from other cities here. It boasts the Walled City, one of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s key Signature Projects, which seeks to boost tourism potential by providing a unique and inspirational visitor experience.”

Commenting on the opportunities from the closer to home markets, Arlene Foster said: “Despite the wider economic climate, statistics for 2008 show that the number of holidaymakers from the Republic of Ireland is up by 26% compared to the same period in 2007. I am confident that we can build on this and encourage our closer to home markets to explore more of Northern Ireland for themselves.”

The Mayor, Councillor Gerard Diver, said the Strategy has ambitious but achievable targets that will place tourism as a priority economic driver that will bring jobs and new opportunities for growth.

He said: “The city can confidently contribute to Northern Ireland’s targets to increase tourism from £1.9million to £2.5million in 2011.

“The Tourism Strategy outlines our commitment to consistently grow the tourism economy of the city by 8% per annum and create a vibrant, modern regional city. Over the next three years we aim to grow visitor numbers by 8% per annum, sustain and grow the 3,500 full-time jobs supported by local tourism.

“Tourism is a key economic driver and is essential if we are to stimulate new opportunities for growth and development. Our in-built advantages of the river and unique location mean we are better placed to exploit the key drivers for tourism. Given its exceptional setting and strong assets, it is little wonder that the city and region offers such remarkable potential to expand its status as a destination city, gateway and regional hub for the North West.”

Chairman of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, Sir Roy McNulty endorsed the Tourism Strategy. He said: “Our city has all the ingredients which any tourism destination needs – the physical product based on our unique history, a vibrant arts and culture sector, our fabulous riverfront location and a welcoming people to ensure the visitor experience is the very best that we have to offer.

“Tourism growth will become increasingly important as an economic driver in the city’s overall regeneration programme. Ilex looks forward to strengthening its working relationship with Derry City Council, NITB, Tourism Ireland and tourism providers to ensure that, together, we achieve recognition as a world class must see destination.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “I congratulate the Council in bringing together all the key stakeholders to develop and now deliver the vision for tourism in Londonderry, which has the potential to create a truly world class tourist destination.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Londonderry Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan includes inputs from Derry City Council, Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, public stakeholders, the industry and the local community.

2. Phase I of the Walled City Signature project received a total amount of £4,670,702, of which £611,272 was through the Integrated Development Fund (IDF), £800,000 Tourism Development Scheme (TDS), £1,254,517 Peace and Reconciliation, £1,450,000 Heritage Lottery Fund and £554,913 Derry City Council. This financial support was allocated to the refurbishment of the Tower Museum and fit out of the Armada in Ireland Exhibition, a visitor Orientation programme which includes signage and interpretation, a conservation plan and The Wider Story of Derry which incorporates visitor interpretation in the following key buildings:

The Museum of Free Derry; The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall; St. Columb’s Cathedral; and The Guildhall.

3. Phase II of the Walled City Signature Project consists of the Built Heritage Programme, a Lighting Strategy, a Business and Cultural Animation Programme and a Management Plan for the City Walls. This is a capital project scheme, administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board as part of the Walled City Signature Project. £5.4 million funding had been ring-fenced through the Integrated Development Fund (IDF) for the renovation of six key buildings, namely the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, the First Presbyterian Church, St Columb’s Cathedral, Aras Colmcille, the Playhouse and the Guildhall.

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