Economic benefits for City of Culture in doubt

THE number of visitors to Cork will rise by 12% when the city becomes the European Capital of Culture 2005, according to an EU report.

However, the analysis of previous European Cities of Culture also questions whether Cork can derive any long-term benefit from staging the multi-million euro event.

“In many cities, the potential for long-term development has not been realised,” it concludes.

Based on the experience of 21 cities which have held the title over the past decade, it established that many failed to meet the objectives they had set for themselves.

With each city having spent an average of €142.8 million between capital and operating expenditure on staging the event, the report claims there is little reliable data to evaluate the economic benefits of being a European City of Culture.

On a more positive note, it believes the title has had “a measurable impact” on visitor numbers and tourism expenditure for at least one year after the event, although most cities experienced a decline in such figures in subsequent years.

However, the report also questions the extent to which people visit a city specifically for the European City of Culture (ECOC) event.

It claims limited data suggests the title as a specific motivation for visiting a city applied to “a relatively small proportion of people”.

Almost all host cities reported problems with the governance structures, with many citing serious difficulties due to political interests, personality clashes, communication problems and the absence of representation from some cultural interests. Some cities also complained of excessive workloads for personnel as well as weak management and leadership.

Although the average number of cultural projects hosted by cities is 500, many organisers admitted in hindsight they had staged far too many events.

While the official programme for Cork 2005 is not being launched until October 7, it is understood the total number of projects is just over 150. A budget of €13m has been put aside for the festival.

The report acknowledges that many people were “perturbed at the absence of details concerning the programme” in Cork.

However, a Cork 2005 spokesman said other host cities had not announced a calendar of events until the autumn before their respective year.

“We have already achieved one of our main objectives which is to provide a programmes of events that will reflect what the people of Cork want from their Capital of Culture,” said director of communications Shane Malone.