Fisheries Minister says Loughs Agency is committed to Foyle tourism push

FISHERIES Minister Michelle O’Neill says the Loughs Agency this year welcomed the 100,000th visitor to its Londonderry aquarium and has also worked with partners Derry City Council and the Port and Harbour Commission to develop crucial moorings along the Foyle in time for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2012 and City of Culture 2013.

She says the Agency is fully committed towards promoting and facilitating marine tourism on the Foyle catchment area particularly in the lead up to 2013.

Responding to a Stormont Assembly Question she stated: “The Loughs Agency has engaged with Derry City Council and Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners to provide crucial infrastructure in the form of moorings and pontoon facilities in the city centre for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2012 and City of Culture in 2013 and beyond.

“The investment, funded through the INTERREG IV Programme by the Special EU Programmes Body, is part of the Agency’s wider 4m euro programme for the Foyle and Carlingford areas which will have lasting impact on tourism in the North West and beyond.”

She said the Loughs Agency is also partnered with Derry City and Convention Bureau and Londonderry Port and Harbour on the ‘Cruise North West Initiative’ which has developed promotional literature and attends trades sales shows annually to promote the Foyle as a destination for cruise vessels.

“Later in 2011 the Agency hopes to re-launch its small grants scheme, the Sustainable Development Fund, which will allow stakeholders to access financial support for the promotion and development of tourism in the North West,” she stated.

“In addition, following the development of the Riverwatch Aquarium Phase 3, which was co-funded by NI Tourist board, the Agency has this year welcomed the 100,000th visitor to the facility, with both local people and tourists making use of the visitor’s centre and education programmes,” she added.