Races defy odds to give city a Û60m boost

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

HOTEL bookings for the Galway Races are up on last year, despite the week-long festival facing new and intense competition this year from the Irish Open golf tournament in Killarney.

And race organisers are expecting a recession-busting windfall of up to €60 million for the local economy during this year’s festival, which gets underway next Monday evening.

Much of the spending boom is expected to be generated by ‘staycationers’, who already provided a boost in bookings for the Galway Arts Festival.

Paul Gill, President of the Galway Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation said Race Week bookings are “steady” across the 30 local hotels, and up on last year.

“This is the first time that Galway has had real competition for visitors, with the golf in Killarney  bookings are up on last year, and there seems to be a lot more confidence out there,” said Mr Gill.

The Bank Holiday Weekend in Kerry will prove a major draw for holidaymakers as the four Irish Majors winners – Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and, fresh from his big Open success, Darren Clarke – will be competing.

Regardless, 150,000 people are expected to pass through the turnstiles at Ballybrit, with up to 30,000 more expected in the ‘free’ enclosure area.

But in a sign of the times, the skies over the city will remain relatively silent, with just 70 helicopter landings expected over the entire week – a far cry from the Celtic Tiger’s roar in 2007 when there were 320 chopper landings on Ladies’ Day alone.

Hoteliers have said that while Race Week is their ‘bread and butter’ for the year, their rates are down 30% from the peak of the boom.

“Most are filling or near filling. We did have one or two [hotels] that were concerned, but their fears have been allayed now I think. The next few days will see a lot more bookings,” Mr Gill said.

Mr Gill – who also owns the Claregalway Hotel – denied hotels were ‘ripping off’ customers by charging exorbitant rates for the Races.

“Bookings are up slightly on last year, we are seeing a lot more confidence out there. Rates are down around 30%. When you go online to book a hotel, you can see all the various prices laid out in front of you. We cater for all budgets in Galway, obviously you’re going to pay more for a four star than a three star. It’s supply anddemand . . . the Races keep you going through the long, quiet days of winter,” he said.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.