North West events set to boost local economy by almost £21 million
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has said that events supported by Tourism NI in the North West will collectively generate around £21 million for the local economy.
It is estimated that the six events will also attract 570,000 visitors – 29% of whom will be from outside of Northern Ireland. The visitors will result in almost 120,000 commercial bed nights being booked – including hotels, B&B, guesthouses, and self-catering.
The events in the North West funded through Tourism Northern Ireland’s International Tourism Events Fund (ITEF) in 2026/27 are:-
- North West 200;
- Foyle Maritime Festival;
- Stendhal Festival;
- SuperCupNI;
- Derry Halloween; and
- Other Voices -Derry~Londonderry.
The Minister said:
“Tourism is flourishing in the North West, with overnight stays increasing in both the Derry and Strabane and Causeway Coast and Glens areas.
“As Economy Minister I’m backing this growth in tourism with funding for six major tourism events in the North-West area. These events are expected to deliver a boost of almost £21 million for the local economy, supporting businesses and workers as well as the wider north west region.
“They put our rich sporting, musical and cultural heritage in the spotlight and all against a backdrop of our beautiful landscapes, experiences, food and welcoming spirit.
“It’s great to see the growth in the North West’s economy and tourism is a key part of that success.”
The ITEF specifically supports events that attract significantly high levels of visitors here while also generating international media coverage, which helps to showcase Northern Ireland as a must-see travel destination. A total of £325,000 has been offered to the organisers of these six events.
Siobhan McGuigan, Head of Events at Tourism NI said:
“These events, which are being supported this year through our International Tourism Events fund, truly showcase the breadth of experiences that our visitors to the North West can look forward to.
“The rich and diverse programme presents something of interest for everyone.
“These events provide an opportunity for visitors to experience our famous Giant Spirit set against stunning backdrops and unique heritage.
“Indeed, this is shaping up to be an exciting year for the North West as we look forward to the return of Other Voices and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween.”
Notes to editors:
- PHOTO CAPTION: Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald pictured on the Derry Walls
- Applications for 2026-27 ITEF were by assessed by Tourism NI on applicants demonstrating how their event will deliver on the strategic tourism growth objectives set out in the funding scheme guidance. Criteria included the ability to attract international visitors to the event, and the evidence of delivering economic impact. A key principle of the scheme was an enhanced focus on assessing the tourism benefits that would not be achieved without Tourism NI funding.
- Funding offers to the six events noted are as follows:
- North West 200 - £65,000
- Stendhal Festival - £30,000
- Foyle Maritime Festival - £45,000
- SuperCupNI - £35,000
- Other Voices - £50,000
- Derry Halloween - £100,000
Total £325,000
4. All funding awards under the 2026-27 ITEF will be published by Tourism NI on their website by the end of August.
5. The Annual Tourism Statistics for 2025 published by NISRA showed overall tourism expenditure of £1.2billion, which represents a growth of 9% compared with 2024, with overall visitor numbers also increasing by 9%. Overnight trips in the Derry & Strabane areas increased by 35%, while Causeway Coast and Glens seen an increase of 7%.
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