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Tourism Northern Ireland welcomes record £1.2billion visitor spend

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Tourism Northern Ireland welcomes record £1.2 billion visitor spend

New figures released in August by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) – the first Northern Ireland annual tourism statistics since 2019 and the Covid pandemic – indicate visitors to Northern Ireland spent a record £1.2 billion in 2023.

This spend was generated from 5.4 million overnights trips taken in the region, 60% of which were taken by those from outside of Northern Ireland.

On average, visitors stayed 3.1 nights and spent £224.44 per overnight trip in the 12-month period.

Of the £1.2 billion spend, 56% was spent outside of Belfast.

Domestic trips (by NI residents) accounted for the highest proportion of overall trips in the region, at 40%, with Great Britain residents accounting for 27%.

There was an unprecedented number of visitors from the Republic of Ireland in 2023, with these accounting for almost one-quarter of all trips during the year.

Tourism Northern Ireland’s Consumer Sentiment Research found that the majority of ROI visitors said their trip matched or exceeded expectations, with the range of places to eat & drink, and the welcome & hospitality being particularly highly rated.

Local Government District figures, also published in August by NISRA, show the benefits of tourism are experienced across the north, with 69% of visits in 2023 taken outside of Belfast.

Today’s NISRA figures also reveal that hotel room occupancy in Northern Ireland was 64% in 2023. STR hotel data indicate high average daily hotel rates for 2023.

In addition, in 2023, there were 5,845 tourism businesses operating in Northern Ireland, of these, 77% were outside the Belfast city council area.

John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “We are very pleased with the latest tourism statistics released today which indicate that the industry has recovered very successfully from the impact of the COVID pandemic.

“The results we are seeing today is the result of the great collaboration between Government, the tourism agencies, local councils and the tourism industry over the past four years in delivering the Tourism Recovery Action Plan drawn up in response to the devastation of the pandemic.

“Whilst it’s difficult to make direct comparisons with 2019, the fact that overnight spend by tourists has reached an estimated £1.2 billion in 2023 represents a very impressive performance given the many challenges the industry has faced in recent years.”

Mr McGrillen added: “The statistics would suggest that business from the GB market, which is extremely important to the NI tourism industry, has now fully recovered.

“This performance creates a great platform for future growth, particularly given that the volume of flights between Irish airports and international markets now exceed 2019 levels.”

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Mayor welcomes students from Goodenough College community

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The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, welcomed a delegation of PhD students from a special London College community to the Guildhall on Friday for a special reception.

It’s the first time that students from Goodenough College have visited the city as part of a wider cultural enrichment programme. Goodenough College is an educational charity providing award winning postgraduate student accommodation in the heart of London’s university district.

The College aims to provide a supportive community for over 700 international postgraduate and their families from over 80 different nations. It benefits students through a programme of intellectual, cultural and social activities that gives students access to an international network and nurtures a global outlook. 

12 students arrived in the city as part of a trip aimed promoting their understanding of N. Ireland, and in particular Derry, including its history and culture. While they are here the group are staying at St Columb’s Park House and visiting a number of local sites.

Welcoming the group to the City, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, said: “I am always delighted to welcome young people to Derry and to share some of our wonderful heritage and culture. We have a strong connection with the City of London in terms of promoting skills and education, and this was another opportunity to discuss our shared interests and the many benefits of living, learning and working here.

“The students really enjoyed their visit to the Guildhall, where they had the chance to ask questions about local politics, peace-building and how Derry has been positively transformed over the years. They were also impressed to learn more about the city’s development as a leading hub for research and innovation excellence particularly in the areas of AI, data, health, and industry 4.0 technologies.”

Travelling with the students are the Dean of the Goodenough College, Alan McCormack originally from N. Ireland, who is also chaplain to the Lord Mayor City of London and Catherine McGuinness (fellow of Goodenough College and former Policy Chair, City of London).

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, pictured with a delegation from Goodenough College, London, held in the Mayor's Parlour. Seated on her left is Alan McCormack (Dean, Goodenough College) and on right Catherine McGuinness CBE (Chair of the policy & resources committee, City of London Corporation). Standing on the right is Adam Goodall, Investment Project Officer, DCSDC. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, pictured with a delegation from Goodenough College, London, held in the Mayor’s Parlour. Seated on her left is Alan McCormack (Dean, Goodenough College) and on right Catherine McGuinness CBE (Chair of the policy & resources committee, City of London Corporation). Standing on the right is Adam Goodall, Investment Project Officer, DCSDC. (Photo – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
 
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The Foyle Maritime Festival returned to the banks of the River Foyle

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After a four-year absence, the award-winning event has returned with exciting live performances, shop tours, water sports, LegenDerry food trails and much more.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race also made a welcome return to the Maiden City.
This year’s theme is What Lies Beneath, focused on the natural beauty of the oceans, rivers and lakes, and how we can protect marine life.

On Friday, July 22, the River Foyle was illuminated by a Parade of Light featuring the Clipper Race Fleet and the Phoenix Tall Ship, a synchronised fireworks display, and an hour of illumination, performances and installations along the quay from early evening through to midnight.

On Sunday, July 24, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Sandra Duffy, joined the crowds on Derry’s quayside to bid farewell to the Clipper Race fleet as they left the city on the final leg of their global adventure. The eleven Clipper 70 racing yachts have been central to the festivities throughout the Foyle Maritime Festival, and there were emotional scenes as they embarked on a beautiful Parade of Sail up the Foyle before heading for the final race start in Greencastle.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet departure from Foyle Marina, in the last leg of the global race from Derry to London brought the Foyle Maritime Festival to a colourful conclusion with a massed crew photocall, a parade of sail and a farewell from Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor, Councillor Sandra Duffy. Picture Martin McKeown. 24.07.22
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Hit ‘The Spot’, Derry’s new street art gallery

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The city’s first street art and urban arts gallery has been launched.

The Spot gallery, created by UV Arts social enterprise alongside the Inner City Trust, is located at the Garden of Reflection on Bishop Street.

The new gallery’s debut exhibition connects the growing local street art movement with a modern and contemporary exhibition space, graffiti store and creative hub for urban artists.

Artists exhibiting are responsible for many of the large-scale murals dotted across the City and District.

The gallery also hosts a series of educational workshops, professional training services and alternative art, prints and products.

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Derry footballers land first Ulster title in 24 years – but miss out on All-Island glory

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The Anglo Celt Cup is back in Derry for the first time in almost a quarter of a century following the Oak Leaf county’s Ulster Final win over near neighbours Donegal.

Rory Gallagher’s side claimed the title the hard way, overcoming the odds against All Ireland Champions Tyrone in the quarter finals before wins over Monaghan and Donegal sealed the title.

The win qualified Derry for the All-Ireland series at Croke Park, but their bid to win a first All-Ireland title since 1993 sadly failed after a semi-final defeat by Galway at Croke Park.

Thousands of Derry fans travelled to Dublin to cheer on the team, who despite a strong start, ultimately lost out on a place in the final.

After the game, Gallagher said he believed the team could enjoy success again next year: “The challenge now is to grind it out again,” he added. “I have no doubt the boys will.”

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European travel award for Walled City Market

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Derry’s Walled City Market has been named local attraction of the year at a prestigious Europe-wide travel event.

The market, which takes place on the first Saturday of every month in Guildhall Square, was praised by the Travel and Hospitality European Travel Awards programme for its uniqueness, customer care, and quality of facilities.

Derry City and Strabane Deputy Mayor, Councillor Christopher Jackson and Nicolle Walters, Markets Development Officer pictured with traders form the Walled City Market which has been awarded the THA Local Attraction of the Year.

It was selected from over 22,000 nominations, with judges saying the chosen winners ‘reflect the very best in travel and hospitality standards’.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy, congratulated all those involved in the Market’s success.

“The market offers an ideal platform for the best of local food and craft and it wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic traders that we have operating at the WCM each month,” she said.

“Whether it’s LegenDerry food or unique gifts, there’s always so much to enjoy for locals and visitors alike.”

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‘Cool, credible, cheap’ Derry named one of best places to live in UK

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Derry has been hailed as the best place to live in Northern Ireland in a survey by The Sunday Times.

The newspaper praised the city as “cool, credible and cheap” in its annual UK-wide list, highlighting the benefits of “years of investment” and the millions of pounds spent regenerating the town centre.

Judges added: “Younger buyers are moving in, attracted by the city’s brisk outward-facing air and its closeness to the border with the Republic.”

The seaside villages of Ballycastle and Helen’s Bay also made the list of Northern Ireland’s top locations.

Meanwhile, Derry was also named as having the best community spirit in the region, in a survey from the retailer Spar.

The Maiden City came out on top of the NI communities, and placed seventh in the whole of the UK.

Around 64% of those surveyed described themselves as happy living in their community, with 53% of those from Northern Ireland – the highest in the UK – adding that their community gave them a sense of belonging.

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New initiative puts Derry on the map for international conferences

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Visit Derry has joined forces with leading local firms and academics to boost the number of international business events hosted in the city.

The Ambassador Circle is a joint project between Tourism NI, Visit Derry and Visit Belfast, and part-funded through the region’s Tourism Recovery Action Plan.

It seeks to target and promote key conferences and events, and promote the North West, and Northern Ireland, as a leading business destination.

Odhran Dunne, CEO of Visit Derry, said 90% of business events come to the city through the support of a local ambassador.

He added: “The new Ambassador Circle is key to our success in attracting conferences and will act as a catalyst to inspire and motivate our local ambassadors to actively seek opportunities to host business events that will support the district’s tourism economy.”

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Lift-off for new Edinburgh flight

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Passengers can now fly direct from City of Derry Airport to Edinburgh, on a new service launched by Loganair.

The 55-minute direct flight will run three days a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday), with additional Thursday and Saturday flights during the peak summer months.

Among the guests on the inaugural flight in May was Aidan O’Kane, president of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

He said: “From tourism to trade, this new route will be a huge boost to the North West economy, strengthening our regional links across the Irish Sea.

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Our Place in Space is Ready for Launch

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Centred around an epic scale model of the solar system designed by the artist Oliver Jeffers with support from leading astrophysicist Professor Stephen Smartt, Our Place in Space combines a three-dimensional sculpture trail, interactive AR app and exciting learning and events programmes.

Coming in 2022, the sculpture trail will stretch over 10 kilometres and will travel from a riverside location in Derry~Londonderry (April / May) to Divis and Black Mountain in Belfast (June / July), before heading to Cambridge (August) and returning to Northern Ireland at the Transport Museum and North Down Coastal Path (September / October).

Artist Oliver Jeffers said: “For centuries, we’ve defined ourselves by who we are and who we’re not. Which side we choose, on what ground we stand, who and what we fight for. A human story, that lives merely in human minds. But with distance comes perspective… Our Place in Space is a playful experiment that asks: What is the difference between ‘us’ and ‘them’? What happens to your perspective on everything when you look back at Earth from space?”

The team behind Our Place in Space is led by Nerve Centre and includes artists Oliver Jeffers and Die Hexen, Professor Stephen Smartt from the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, as well as National Museums NI, NI Science Festival, Big Motive, Taunt, Microsoft, Jeffers & Sons, University of Cambridge, Dumbworld, Live Music Now, Little Inventors, and Urban Scale Interventions.

Location partners include Derry City & Strabane District Council, National Trust, Cambridge City Council and Ards & North Down Borough Council.

David Lewis, Executive Producer at the Nerve Centre, said: “Our Place in Space is an exciting collaboration between some of our finests minds in science, technology and the arts.”

‘From creating a star to writing a symphony for the universe, inventing a new form of transport, building a Minecraft planet or connecting with space watchers in Vietnam or Iraq, Our Place in Space invites participants to look at our solar system in a different way – exploring what it means to live on Earth in 2022, and how we might better share and protect our planet in future.’

Our Place in Space is Northern Ireland’s project for UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, commissioned by Belfast City Council.

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