Call for a NEW Tourism Experience Development Programme
Derry City & Strabane City Council wishes to invite applications from individuals or businesses interested in providing future tourism experiences that can enhance the current tourism offering in the destination. Those interested are invited to attend an information session on Monday, 24th November 2025, 6pm-7.30pm.Purpose: this virtual session will provide insights into an exciting new programme that will focus on crafting the highest quality experiences that can persuade domestic and global customers to visit, stay and return to the destination
These experiences can encompass diverse themes including Culture, Heritage, Music & Arts, Outdoor and Adventure Activities, Nature, Health & Wellness, Food & Drink and Screen.
Format: to facilitate attendance by as many interested providers as possible, the information session will take place virtually via a Zoom link
Participants: this programme is open to providers with no, limited or advanced knowledge of the tourism industry across urban and rural areas including
- providers that have never before worked in tourism, with the potential to deliver a compelling tourism experience
- an existing provider/business (already known to Derry City & Strabane City Council) that wishes to develop a brand-new experience that can enhance the destination
Context: the experiences that emerge via this programme will complement a broad menu of tourism experiences already available for purchase by the local community and visitors.
Collectively, these experiences must be of a premier standard that can win bookings from diverse customers from families and solo travellers to couples and groups. This is essential for positioning the district as a leading destination in Northern Ireland and the global marketplace.
The experiences that emerge via this programme will be
- Distinctive to Derry City & Strabane City Council area conveying a real sense of place
- Aligned to Tourism Northern Ireland’s Embrace a Giant Spirit brand
- Inspiring for global visitors
- Capable of increasing dwell-time, economic benefits and year-round business
- Bookable online
- Aligned with sustainable and inclusive tourism development
This information session will include the following:
- An insight into why compelling tourism experiences are key for the Derry City & Strabane City Council area.
- The framework, purpose, and expectations of the programme
- Outcomes and sample experiences anticipated from the programme
- Requirements and criteria for progression into the programme
- Programme dates for the diary
- A Q&A session
Who should attend?
The programme is open to providers with no, limited or advanced knowledge of the tourism industry. It seeks to introduce fresh Experiences to bring to the marketplace - unlike anything that is currently available. Examples include:
- Culture, Heritage and the Arts: e.g., meet a local musician to learn how to play an indigenous instrument or work with a craft designer to create a unique piece
- Adventure & Activities: e.g. cycling with music or food tasting, indigenous sporting experiences, photography combined with adventure
- Health & Wellness: e.g., yoga in the wild, dawn chorus experiences to learn about wildlife and birds, mindfulness in tranquil surroundings
- Food & Drink: wild foraging in the great outdoors; dining experiences in quirky locations, guided food & drink experiences and trails with food producers and experts
Programme Criteria
- The experience must be delivered in the Derry City & Strabane City Council area
- You must attend and complete all modules of the programme
- You must be prepared to proactively promote your new experience post the programme and work collaboratively with the Destination Tourism Team.
- There must be no obstacles: e.g., the experience cannot be dependent on capital investment or the development of infrastructure
- The experience that emerges from this programme must be a brand-new tourism experience for the district: i.e., not currently available for sale and with a view to becoming a long term, regularly available, established experience.
I’m interested! What do I need to do?
- Email your name and address to [email protected] by Monday 17th November 2025 stating that you are interested in hearing more about the NEW Experience Development Programme and outlining your idea for a new tourism experience
- Attend the virtual introduction on Monday, 24th November 2025, 6pm-7.30pm to hear more and determine if you meet the programme criteria
NOTE: As places are limited, submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee a place on the programme.