Galway city is losing out on thousands of visitors each year by not providing a proper drop off and collection depot for tour buses.
This is the view of Labour city councillor Niall McNelis, who was speaking following a meeting he, Labour TD Derek Nolan, and Labour Minister Alan Kelly, had with the Galway City Business Association.
Cllr McNelis believes the drop off point for visitors at the Galway Cathedral is “too far away” as tour operators prefer to have a location at most 100m from the main shopping area. He said any stop off point should also have facilities where busses can be washed and refreshments provided.
The delegation which met the minister asked for assistance to use the CIE land at the back of Ceannt Train Station for such a stop off point.
“If this was possible this would lead to up to an extra 40 coach tours each day visiting the city,” said Cllr McNelis. “I have spoken to some of the larger tour operators and they agree bus parking in the city centre needs to be improved to get more of them to stop off in Galway.
“I believe if this can be sorted out soon it will lead to jobs being created as visitor numbers increase. Minister Kelly has given me a commitment that he will speak to CIE officials in the next few weeks.”
