High powered talks to help bring in Û40m cruise business

A high-powered delegation of world tourism chiefs and cruise-line operators will visit Galway next month with a view to establishing the city as a destination port that could result in a €40m annual boost to the local economy.

The visiting delegation will include the head of Jamaican tourism and some of the largest cruise-line operators in the world, whose multi-billion dollar undertakings are based in Miami and operate in destination ports across the globe.

Galway West Deputy Brian Walsh will be meeting the delegation in Galway next month along with Fáilte Ireland executives, representatives of Galway Chamber of Commerce and Galway Harbour Company.

The cruise-line operators will also meet with prospective suppliers of services to the visiting cruise ships when they arrive in Ireland on September 23. The delegation is expected to remain in Galway for the weekend before they depart on September 26.

Deputy Walsh, who was a member of the original Strategic Development Committee that progressed the proposed redevelopment of Galway Harbour, said the visit could pave the way for the establishment of Galway as a major cruise-ship destination.“I have always been aware throughout my involvement with the redevelopment project of the level of interest amongst cruise-line operators in establishing Galway as a destination port, and this is a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on that interest by showcasing the region,” he said.

“Academic studies have shown that the arrival of around 50 cruise ships in Cork each year is worth over €40m to the local economy and supports more than 300 full-time jobs.

“Galway Harbour Company has set a target of 50 cruise ships a year in Galway following the redevelopment of the port and I believe that that is not only achievable but could well be exceeded,” added Deputy Walsh.

The Fine Gael TD said that the redevelopment had the backing of the Government and that there should be no delay in bringing the project to fruition.

“Minister Varadkar was very supportive of the plan when he met with Galway Harbour Company at my request earlier this year and I know that he sees the great potential that Galway has as a major destination port.

“We have a wonderful product in Galway to market to tourists from around the world and I am looking forward to making the delegation fully aware of that when they arrive here next month,” he concluded.