Festivals Save The Bacon

SUCCESSFUL established festivals like the Galway Arts Festival and the Galway Races have probably saved what would have been an average tourist season this year.Fáilte Ireland and many others involved in the tourist business in Galway City and County have put the draw of the two internationally renowned events as being a life saver for urban and rural tourism.Traditionally July and August were the height of the tourist season but experts in the industry are now saying that the few weeks surrounding those festivals are the highlight – in other words if those depending on tourism don’t make their money in those few weeks, it’s a struggle the rest of the year.Paul Gill, hotelier and chairman of the Galway Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, told the Connacht Tribune hat the rest of the region, if not the country, should take a leaf out of Galway City’s success and try and replicate it.He said that the Galway City branding has been a success but one that has to be...