The climax of the World Rally Championships - Rally Ireland - generated up
to £45m in spending by spectators in Northern Ireland and border counties
last year, it was revealed yesterday.
A report from the University of Ulster said it generated between £30m and
£45m of additional spending which it said was "a further and
valuable stimulus to the economy of the north-west of the island at a
difficult time of year for the tourism industry".
A report from the University of Ulster said it generated between £30m and
£45m of additional spending which it said was "a further and
valuable stimulus to the economy of the north-west of the island at a
difficult time of year for the tourism industry".
The report, by Dr David Hassan of the Sport and Exercise Science Institute
and Dr Douglas McCulloch, of the School of Economics and Politics, said
attendance at the various stages of the rally amounted to over 250,000
spectators.
Overall they estimated up to 150,000 people attended the rally which took
place through eight counties, starting in Belfast.
It was launched with a spectacular special stage in the grounds of Stormont
and was recognised as the biggest sporting event ever staged in Ireland -
with the logistical requirements eclipsing even the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K
Club in Co Kildare.
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