Supporting Tourism in Galway

 

Transport 21 – Supporting Tourism in Galway

· More than 2.8 million tourists visited Ireland’s western region in 2007, spending €817 million
· Better roads, trains and regional airports – delivered under Transport 21 programme – will support the continued development of regional tourism

Friday, July 25th

Transport 21, the largest investment package ever in Ireland’s transport infrastructure, is making a significant contribution to the ongoing development of Ireland’s tourism industry. The plan – which is investing €34 billion in transport infrastructure over the period 2006 to 2015 – is transforming transport links, giving visitors to Ireland greater options when it comes to travelling between our cities and accessing the rural countryside.

Commenting today (Friday), Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, said:

“The value of tourism to Galway City and County is very considerable. In 2007, more than 2.8 million tourists visited Ireland’s western region, spending €817 million there. Some of Ireland’s top attractions are based in Galway. In 2006, more than 193,000 tourists visited Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, with almost 132,000 travelling to Dun Aonghasa. Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill received 87,000 visitors in 2006, with the Leenane Cultural Centre and Connemara National Park both receiving more than 70,000 visitors each.

“On top of these attractions, major events – like the Galway Arts Festival – continue to entice people from all over the world to visit Galway.

“These tourists make a very valuable contribution to the economy in Galway, and across the western region. The Transport 21 package of investment is supporting the tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland. The new N4/N6 Dublin/Galway road is on time and on budget for completion in 2010. The full length of this Major Inter-Urban (MIU) route will be 194 kilometres, and already 82 kilometres is open to traffic.

“The N6 Athlone/Ballinasloe and the N6 Ballinasloe/Galway road schemes are under construction. The N6 Loughrea Bypass has already been delivered, removing an infamous traffic jam black spot from the journey between the major cities of Dublin and Galway. Those travelling between the two cities will also now benefit from the recently opened €280 million N6 Kilbeggan/Athlone dual carriageway.

“Rail services in the region are also benefitting very significantly from Transport 21 investment.
Work is now underway on phase one of the development of the Western Rail Corridor, from Ennis, County Clare, to Athenry, Co Galway. Trackwork began in October 2007, and the first train services on the line are scheduled to commence in 2009 upon completion of the €106.5 million redevelopment of the Ennis/Athenry line.

“Intercity services to Galway are also being improved. A total of 1.6million passenger journeys were made on the Galway line in 2007, an increase of 9% on 2006. New Intercity Railcars, which boast the most modern standards of comfort, reliability, and environmental performance, have been introduced on the Galway line. The new Intercity Railcars have also been designed with the needs of the mobility impaired fully incorporated. Dedicated wheelchair spaces are provided, and wheelchair accessible toilets are in place. Ensuring the needs of all customers are catered for, toilets also feature baby-changing facilities.

“Transport 21 is also funding new, state-of-the-art, vehicles for Bus Éireann, benefitting residents, commuters and tourists alike. Under Transport 21, Bus Éireann introduced 15 new vehicles into the Galway fleet in 2007, with funding allowing for 239 new vehicles to be acquired by Bus Éireann nationally.

“In addition, Transport 21 has allocated funding of €6.3 million to Galway Airport as part of a package of measures to improve Ireland’s regional airports.

“Tourism makes a major contribution to Ireland’s economy. I believe that, by substantially improving our road, rail, bus and regional airport links, Transport 21 will have a positive impact on our tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland. The Transport 21 package of investment is already delivering tangible benefits to the transport infrastructure in Galway, and many more improvements are on the way.”

Ends.

Note to editors:

The latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of visitors to Ireland in the first quarter of the year reached 1,542,000. This is an increase of 4% when compared with the first quarter of 2007. These visitors made a huge contribution to the economy, with spending valued at €824 million for the January, February and March 2008 period. Last year, expenditure by visitors to Ireland for 2007 was estimated to be €4.9 billion .

Since it was launched two years ago, Transport 21 has invested €4.7 billion in transport networks across Ireland. Almost €3 billion is being spent by Transport 21 in 2008, and over the lifetime of the programme – which runs to 2015 – €34 billion will be invested.

Transport 21 investment will significantly improve links between the major urban centres, and improve links to all regions, which will be of significant benefit to tourists. 406 kilometres of the Major Inter-Urban routes (MIU) linking Dublin to Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford is under construction, and is on time and on budget for 2010 completion. 332 kilometres of the MIU routes are already open to traffic.

Transport 21 is also investing heavily in public transport improvements. Visitors to Ireland who chose to travel by bus or train will benefit from more comfortable and more frequent services. Transport 21 has invested in Intercity Railcars on the Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Westport lines, and before the end of 2008 they will also be introduced on the Waterford, Kerry, Rosslare, Athlone, Carlow and Portlaoise lines.

New buses for Bus Éireann are enhancing existing services and allowing for the introduction of new routes. Transport 21 funding has allowed Bus Éireann to order 239 new vehicles, offering tourists who chose to travel across Ireland by bus greater comfort and safety. 


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