Volvo Ocean Race Finish Should Reinvigorate Western Region’s Marine Leisure Potential 

The Western Development Commission is delighted with today’s announcement of the Volvo Ocean Race finishing in Galway in 2012 and sees it as an ideal opportunity to reinvigorate the potential of marine leisure activities in the Western Region.

Welcoming the announcement, Lisa McAllister, CEO of the WDC said: “We are absolutely delighted at Galway’s selection as the race finish port. Galway’s selection is the product of a cohesive public and private partnership that will deliver substantial tourism revenues not only to the Western Region but to the island as a whole.”

The WDC, in a report entitled Work in the West: The Western Region’s Employment & Unemployment Challenge, has identified eight sectors where the Western Region has comparative strengths in order to address the significant employment challenges facing the region. Tourism and marine leisure were one of those areas identified. The report called for greater coordination of public bodies at national, regional and local level if this sector of employment is to grow. “I can think of no greater catalyst to bring about the level of coordination required than today’s announcement,” said Ms McAllister.

The WDC was heavily involved in the Galway stopover in 2009 and is currently actively supporting the Let’s do it Galway Team in hosting the Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race 2010. The WDC recognises the enormous potential that the hosting of such events offers to the western region and all those associated with bringing such events to the Region should be strongly supported in their efforts.