Derry & Strabane tourism performance 'hugely positive'
Derry City and Strabane District Council elected representatives have welcomed the “hugely positive” outcome of a recent Tourism Strategy review.
Members of July’s Business and Culture Committee were presented with the results of a review of the district’s Tourism Strategy (2018–2025) and Food Tourism Strategy (2019–2025), and were also asked to endorse a proposed Tourism Action Plan 2026–2031.
The Tourism Strategy review found that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor spend over the period has increased by 87% to £93.6 million, while overnight trips have grown by 41% to almost 400,000. Between 2018 and 2022, tourism sector employment also increased by 12% to 5,230 jobs.
Additionally, overnight trips significantly exceeded the Northern Ireland average of 9% in 2025, accounting for around 7.8% of all visitors to Northern Ireland.
The Food Tourism Strategy review found that the sector’s economic contribution has grown to approximately £24.7 million between 2019 and 2025, representing around 50% growth and significant progress towards council’s £33 million target.
The report added: “Significant investment in product and experience development has supported over 300 tourism businesses and led to the creation of 30+ new visitor experiences, strengthening the overall visitor offer.
“There has also been substantial investment in tourism infrastructure and accommodation, with the number of accommodation properties across the city and district more than doubling over the past decade, reflecting strong investor confidence and increasing capacity to support visitor growth.
“A programme of world‑class festivals and events, including internationally recognised flagship events, has played a pivotal role in driving visitor numbers, enhancing the area’s profile and supporting year‑round tourism.”
Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy, who chaired the Committee meeting, said: “This is an absolutely, hugely positive report.”
“There is more to do but I think it’s really good to see the ambition that we have around that, particularly when we look at the issues that we were faced with, coming into that around COVID and all the rest of it.”
Sinn Féin councillor Alex Duffy said getting a hotel in Derry was now “impossible” at weekends without booking significantly in advance.
He added: “That can only be a good thing, and the percentage spend is up as well, so on behalf of Sinn Féin we’re happy to endorse the report.”
SDLP councillor Rory Farrell noted that there has been a large number of new hotels constructed across Derry City.
“There is demand there, they wouldn’t be opening hotels if there was no demand for tourists,” he said, adding:
“It’s not just hotels, what we do collectively as a city and district is directly impacting visitor numbers. We’ve got a consistently strong festival and events calendar; The Maritime, the Jazz Festival, it’s the 40th anniversary of Halloween this year, we’ve got a vibrant cultural scene and the hospitality sector. The cocktail of all of that means that this place is a thriving destination for tourists, so that’s really, really positive.”
UUP alderman Darren Guy said the increase in tourism means Derry hotel rates are now similar to those in Belfast.
“It’s good to see because for too long we’ve sold ourselves short,” he added.
“That’s wrong because people are on holiday, they’re willing to pay that money to come and stay, they’re willing to pay the money in the restaurants and everywhere else when they do come here.”
Councillor Sandra Duffy concluded: “It is a really exciting time for us as a city and you can feel it when you are out walking about."