Future ahead bright due to tourism

He said that it was sometimes hard to find positives from the current political situation there were positive signs from tourism in Londonderry, with its rich history has great potential for tourism creating employment and supporting local business.

“According to the most recent Tourism NITourism NI survey, people who come to Londonderry see our city as memorable, authentic, enlightening, and unique and the most popular description is friendly, this is excellent feedback from visitors,” he said.

“Over the past year more attractions have opened including the Siege Museum, Walled City Brewery and Foyle Arena. We look forward to the golf Open being staged in Royal Portrush in 2019, we are the closest city, with a £60 million possible income, we look forward to having many staying in Londonderry, this will be a great financial boost to the entire tourism industry.

“Londonderry is becoming more and more popular for tourism,” he said.

“It is a real positive for the future. Most visitors still come from the Republic of Ireland, 18 per cent and Great Britain 16 per cent, we also have a lot of people from all over Northern Ireland coming to the city, amounting to 28 per cent. Overnight trips have increased from 150,000 in 2010, to 240,000 in 2014, and spend has increased from “30 million to “40 million.”