Rally would net tourism €29m

BRINGING a round of the World Rally Championship to Ireland could boost tourism revenues by €29m.

Sean O’Connor of Rally Ireland, which is attempting to bring a stage of the championship to the country, said: “When we consider that a round of WRC series will attract 100,000 live spectators and a minimum of 20,000 bed nights, this would translate into direct expenditure by visitors in the region of €12m.

In addition, because WRC is an annual series, this income is guaranteed year on year.