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Tall Ships was far too costly

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

The Tall Ships have been a huge success and a great future. The people concerned in planning this extravaganza are well pleased with themselves and with the massive numbers that came to see these fantastic vessels in their glory and splendour.

I would like to see the Tall Ships back again in five years or so, but this time do it as a speculative capital venture where the taxpayer does not foot the bill.

Charge people an entrance fee and charge sellers and vendors for their sites and see how successful the next one will be.

The only reason this was claimed a huge success is that huge crowds went to see this event. I will bet the numbers would have been fewer if the people had to put their hand in their pocket for parking, entrance fees and all other services chargeable to these big events in other countries around the world.

Our local councils are obviously charging us too much for our rates if they are able to splash out millions of pounds on this type of event.

To me, this is yet another abuse of power by our leaders. I honestly don’t think our econ

omy benefited one cent from this show.

Let me choose where my money goes.

DAVID STEWART

Newtownabbey

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i agree 100% with this mans view. i am part owner of a business in victoria square paying massive rates and parking charges and if belfast city council spent these millions allowing totally free parking in belfast city center, i would bet my last pound that the city would significantly benefit from such a gesture. our sales in victoria square never increased even by 1% whilst the tall ships were here. other business managers and owners stated this also.
we are struggling to stay above water (excuse the pun) at present and i think this maoney could have been used more beneficially.

Posted by graham harkness | 26.08.09, 18:34 GMT

David have you been to many of 'these big events around the world'? I don't think so.

Posted by Globetrotter | 26.08.09, 09:02 GMT

Bemused, where did I say anything about David (is he bemused too?) not being entitled to his opinion? Just because I disagree with someone doesn't mean I'm trying to censor him. On the contrary, sometimes it's better to let people talk and subject themselves to ridicule.

Posted by Watcher | 26.08.09, 08:57 GMT

Well David, I hope you're not planning on going for any interviews at the tourist board any day soon!

Posted by John | 25.08.09, 14:47 GMT

David,I believe that the sellers and vendors had to pay a fee to set up their stalls in the Odyssey area.

Posted by cd | 25.08.09, 12:38 GMT

The Tall Ships race takes place every 8 years.
Vendors were charged on average around £1000 per day for their stalls.
The income generated from the Tall Ships is estimated at around £34m
100's of tourists arrived in Belfast for the event, and over half the total population of NI came too. Hotels were fully booked and restaurants & pubs were all very busy.
I actually dont get what your point is here?

Posted by p | 25.08.09, 09:07 GMT

Watcher, David is perfectly entitled to his opinion. In fact, is is very questionable that any economic benefit will be generated by a one-off event like the Tall Ships. The inflated figures aside (BCC claiming 250,000 for those standing on the loughshore on the Sunday) the majority of the crowd is displacement from other events/attractions by a predominantly NI crowd. As such there is little financial benefit to our economy. To support this, observe how direct tourism to the Island of Ireland has performed in 2009-ROI down 10% for the first half of the year, NI down 20% in the first third. Only the ROI market, due to the exchange rate and overpriced ROI product, has benefitted the NI economy but this small gain will be eliminated by the other markets. As an exercise in creating a 'feel-good' factor for a few days, is £2.2m value for money?

Posted by Bemused | 25.08.09, 08:55 GMT

So your measure of success would be how many people you can discourage from attending? You think that the measure of success shouldn't 'only' be the big crowds in attendance? You think the crews of these ships didn't spend any money when they were here? I'll have some of what you're having.

Posted by Watcher | 25.08.09, 04:56 GMT