At its recent AGM at the newly-restored Guildhall, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB) revealed a 26 per cent increase in hotel room sales to date in 2013 and £4.5m generated in economic impact to the local economy by conference tourism.
Mayor, Councillor Martin Reilly, who chaired the AGM, said: “The city’s tourism permance has reached record levels, with a 26 per cent increase in hotel rooms sales to date this year ensuring that more people are overnighting in the city and subsequently increasing the economic impact on the tourism economy. This year’s events as part of City of Culture including One Big Weekend, Return of Colmcille, the All Ireland Fleadh, Walled City Tattoo and many cultural and sporting events hosted by the city have delivered a major increase in tourist numbers.
“As Mayor, I listen to the comments of visitors on a daily basis and they provide positive feedback on the cleanliness of the city, the friendliness of the people, our history and culture. I congratulate DVCB and partner agencies who continue to work fervently to establish the city as a must-see European city destination and hope 2013 continues to act as a catalyst for future growth in the sector.”
Aoife Thomas, Business and Leisure Tourism Executive, added: “Conference tourism is one of the many success stories of 2013, hosting 30 national and international conferences, welcoming 6,000 delegates and set to generate £4.5m to the local economy. The DVCB Ambassador Programme, in conjunction with our accolade of UK City of Culture 2013, have been instrumental in securing conference business. The city played host to a series of international events from the business, medical and academic sectors including the Media, Communications and Cultural Studies Association Conference, Rotary International Peace Forum, All Ireland Theatre Conference and the European Business Innovation Centre Annual Congress 2013.”
Odhran Dunne, Interim Chief Executive, provided DVCB members with an update on the marketing and visitor servicing activity undertaken by DVCB during what has been the busiest year for the organisation since it was established in 1996. Dunne said that while 2012 was comparable to 2011, this year was on course to deliver a remarkable boost for the tourism sector. The high level of interest from tour operators, conference organisers and leisure visitors ensured the strong positioning of the city at a national level, with the North West currently recording the highest average hotel occupancy of all regions in Northern Ireland, according to Dunne.
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