Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced that a series of major events backed by Tourism NI in the North West will collectively inject an estimated £21 million into the local economy.

The six supported events are projected to draw a total of 570,000 visitors, with 29% of those attendees expected to travel from outside of Northern Ireland. This influx of tourists is anticipated to generate nearly 120,000 commercial bed nights across regional hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering accommodations.

The six initiatives in the North West receiving financial backing through Tourism Northern Ireland's International Tourism Events Fund (ITEF) for the 2026/27 period are the North West 200, the Foyle Maritime Festival, the Stendhal Festival, SuperCupNI, Derry Halloween, and Other Voices - Derry~Londonderry.

Minister Archibald stated: "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 is structured specifically to assist large-scale events that draw substantial visitor numbers to Northern Ireland while simultaneously generating widespread international media exposure. This coverage plays a critical role in promoting the region as a premier global travel destination. For this cycle, a cumulative total of £325,000 has been allocated to the organizers of the six chosen events.

Siobhan McGuigan, Head of Events at Tourism NI, commented: "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."