Tourism representatives from Derry~Londonderry are in New York today using the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as a focal point to showcase the highlights of The Walled City. The Clipper Race, a fixture in Derry for several years, is in New York ahead of the next leg, where it will sail into Derry for the city’s international Foyle Maritime Festival celebrations from 20th – 24th July 2022.
Keen to maximise the opportunity, Visit Derry and partners City Hotel, Walled City Brewery and Bishops Gate Hotel showcased the destination to influential decision-makers in the US travel trade. Working in partnership with Tourism Ireland, Visit Derry hosted a networking event for tour operators, meeting organisers and media. Attendees heard about upcoming new tourism developments and the citys strong emigration and diaspora links as well as details of the Foyle Maritime Festival, which returns next month and welcomes the Clipper race back to the banks of the Foyle.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to support this Visit Derry showcase, reminding our media and travel trade guests about the many great reasons for US travellers to visit, including the return of the Clipper Race this summer.”
Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry's Chief Executive Officer said “North America is one of our strongest international markets, with real potential for growth. The Clipper Race departing New York for Derry is a fantastic opportunity for Visit Derry and partners to develop new business links in this key market. We are delighted to have the opportunity to highlight our city in New York and shine a spotlight on some of the many things to see and do. Derry’s unique position as the Walled City, Where the Wild Atlantic Way meets the Causeway Coastal Route provides the ideal base for visitors from New York to explore Ireland’s North West. Renowned as one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe and the primary destination city for cultural and heritage experiences on the island of Ireland, our history and heritage, strong cultural offering, and international festivals provide plenty of reasons to encourage travellers to put Derry on their wish-list for their next trip to Ireland.”