GALWAY FESTIVAL CALENDAR BOOSTS OVERSEAS VISITOR FIGURES

Date Published: 29-Dec-2011

Galway's festival calendar is a driving force in increasing the number of overseas visitors to the West.

That's according to a study by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation which shows overseas visitors nationwide increased by 7 percent - the first increase recorded in 4 years.

Galway's festival schedule from Spring to Summer is highlighted as one of the West's strongest attractions to visitors from abroad.

The study reveals an estimated 20 percent of attendees at the Galway Arts Festival are from outside the country.

The Film Fleadh is also recorded as having an even higher international profile attracting up to half of its participants from overseas.

As well as the arts, major sporting events such as the Volvo Ocean Race are noted in the study- the final stop-over is set to be hosted in the city this July.