New light shed on Londonderry

Mr Graham who is the Walled City Project co-ordinator at NITB was speaking at an event organised by Martin McCrossan the Director of City Tours which brings together hoteliers, B&B owners and guest house proprietors from across the city.

The event, which has now become an annual affair, includes a tour of the City Walls and culminates in a dinner at Java restaurant in Ferryquay Street.

Speaking at the event Mr McCrossan said that only by working together could all those involved in the tourist sector in the city benefit.

Mr Graham said that the illumination scheme would hopefully commence in July or August and be finished by the end of next year.

Susie McCulough Director of Marketing and Events with NITB revealed that the board was throwing their full weight behind Londonderry's bid to become the UK's City of Culture.

She said: "We genuinely believe that Derry is going to win the bid and we are going out of our way to show why Derry should win. To this end every e-mail, every letter going out from NITB will include support for the bid.

"We are also staging events at the airports and have organised press trips for journalists from across the country in conjunction with the Jazz Festival."

Mr. McCrossan emphasised how important it was that the 'visitor experience' for those coming to the city ensured that they came back again and again.

He said that the aim of City Tours was to offer a product that was attractive to visitors and great value for money.