Major coach tourism conference comes to Derry

The Coach Tourism Association (CTA), the leading association for coach tourism in the UK, is hosting its annual convention in Derry for the first time ever. Around 170 businesses from the UK’s important coach tourism sector are attending the conference and workshop. Tourism Ireland worked with Tourism NI, Visit Derry and Fáilte Ireland to secure this important event. 

The CTA is a key partner for Tourism Ireland in GB, whose members bring valuable visitors to the island of Ireland right throughout the year. A highlight of the event in Derry was the ‘CTA Meet the Buyer’ workshop, where the coach tourism buyers engaged in over 1,200 one-to-one meetings with tourism businesses from across the island.

These meetings are a vital platform for developing new itineraries and strengthening partnerships that bring thousands of visitors to our regions each year.

Delegates also took part in familiarisation trips, which included a walking tour of the Walled City, the Giant’s Causeway, Mussenden Temple, the Ulster American Folk Park, GORTA – Swatragh's Famine Story and Glenshane Country Farm. They also visited Wild Ireland and The Muff Liquor Company in Donegal.

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of GB, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted that the Coach Tourism Association has chosen Derry-Londonderry as the venue for its 2026 conference and we’re extending a very warm welcome to the 170 coach tourism buyers attending.

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"Coach tourism continues to be extremely valuable, bringing visitors to our regions, right throughout the year. This year’s conference and workshop provides a platform to showcase our superb tourism offering, helping our GB coach tour operator partners develop new and exciting programmes for their clients for 2026 and beyond.”