Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
92 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts being undertaken by his Department to support the Cork city of culture for 2005; the projected visitor numbers for the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31465/04]
View answerThe Government has committed financial support of €7.85 million to celebrate the designation of Cork as European capital of culture for 2005. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are actively promoting Cork 2005 by all means available to them. I understand from a recent report on European cities and capitals of culture, commissioned by the European Commission, that being the European capital of culture seems to have a measurable impact on visitor numbers and expenditure in the cities involved. The report indicates that, over the past decade, the average increase in overnight stays in each city when compared to the previous year was over 12%.
