Clipper Race Port scoops top tourism award
by Claire Glancy 18 May 2015 17:58 BST
16 May 2015
Annual Tourism NI awards: Niall Gibbons with (l-r) Helena Hasson, Karen Leonard, Elisha McCallion, Linda Williams, Mary Blake, Jacqueline Whoriskey and Aedin McCarter of LegenDerry Maritime festival, winner of the Best Event or Festival Experience award © Brian Morrison
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has helped one of its Host Ports and Team Sponsors to scoop a prestigious travel industry award for an outstanding contribution to tourism by creating a highly successful week-long festival which attracted over 140,000 visitors and a £3m boost to the local economy.
Derry-Londonderry's 'LegenDerry Maritime Festival' took the top tourism honour by picking up the Best Event/Festival Experience title at the prestigious 2015 Northern Ireland Tourism NITA Awards.
"Congratulations to everyone in Derry-Londonderry who made this such a success. The accolade is richly deserved," said Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. "This is another excellent example of how the Clipper Race works with its partners and host ports to boost tourism and make a significant economic impact. The local Council and its partners richly deserve this prestigious accolade."
The LegenDerry Maritime Festival was based around the arrival of the twelve-strong Clipper 2013-14 Race fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts, including local entry Derry-Londonderry-Doire, which visited the city on its epic global journey after crossing the Atlantic from New York. The crew received a rapturous reception and the celebrations continued throughout the stopover which culminated in a stunning aerial display by the Red Arrows.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, explained, "It's been hugely significant in terms of promoting the North West region and brought tens of thousands of visitors to Derry. The city will be a stopover destination for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the third time in 2016 and, as we prepare to host the Foyle Maritime Festival next year, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the world for an even more spectacular celebration."
The Clipper Race works with its Team Sponsors and Host Ports around the world and the tenth edition of the unique biennial global sailing series will start in spectacular style from London on 30 August and visit major destinations on six continents in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China and North America before returning to Europe and finishing back in London in July 2016.
"The fact that Derry City and Strabane District Council organise their maritime festival around our stopover in Lough Foyle is testament to the strength of our partnership. It is a shining example of how to maximise the benefits of hosting the Clipper Race. I am looking forward to returning to the city next summer very much," added Sir Robin.
The 40,000 mile race is the longest around the planet and takes almost a year to complete. Its amateur crew are led by professional skippers on twelve identically matched 70-foot yachts which compete in one of the most gruelling sporting challenges in the world.