Giro disruptions

belfastgirl23

dot.bargain wrote: »

NI should be self-promoting, it doesn't take a cycling event to raise the profile.

Unfortunately when we self promote we don't always make a good fist of it. I certainly had plenty of emails from international colleagues during the flegs protests and during the July rioting a few years ago asking if I was ok. So that was definitely self promotion but not the kind that is likely to attract tourism.

I reckon it's well worth the money to have northern ireland on the news as a world destination in its own right not just because of a couple of hundred rioters. The thing I liked about the Giro is that the world has been watching ordinary Northern Irish people not just the crazies.

And yes obviously it was the sponsors who brought the event here, and yes of course there were financial inducements to get them here. But honestly other places would have made the same offers - they must have wanted to come here to take up our offer.

jenheiffer

WAS it 'shown all over the world' though? It was on BBC2 here but in the rest of the UK snooker or something was shown instead.

jellynose

It was broadcast live Eurosport channel to over 70 countries. It was also shown all over the world, more info here:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/pink-admiral-the-blog-of-michele-acquarone-and-the-rcs-team/giro-ditalia-tv-coverage

A.L.D.A

dot.bargain wrote: »

NI should be self-promoting, it doesn't take a cycling event to raise the profile.

As for the economy, well yes and no.

The coastal route is ranked as one of the top 10 driving roads in Europe, all 22miles of coast hugging black stuff, but that's what it is a driving road.

There are little cycle lanes as it is, no thanks to Kennedy who slashed the money for cycling lanes.
If NI was to invest heavily in cycling infrastructure, then yes, we would see an influx of cycling tourists.

Dot you always need to promote, or no one will know what is on offer.

Totally agree about cycle routes and could add in trekking opening up the countryside, bird watching and all the rest of it. We have tremendous tourist potential.

Take an example. Woodburn area above Carrick, large areas of forest, multiple dams, rivers, great views etc. How many ever visit and what facilities are there? Where is there to stay? Caravan sites?

Same with places like Glenarm etc. Bus loads go up that coast, but how many stop?

BigAl94

Glenarm is a run down dump, nothing there except the castle.

Cotta

I feel Dot and Jennifer are entitled to their opinions and it's a bit unfair to shoot them down for having such.

I would agree that for many in NI the Giro as a sport holds no interest and in fact I'm unaware of anyone who actually went to the proceedings. However I am in support of bringing such an event to NI, I would be interested to see if this will bring the revenue to justify the 5.5 million price tag (who makes up these figures??). It would also have been nice to see some of the more run down areas of the city regenerated for the event or as a result of the event but this doesn't seem to have happened.

D.A.

Cotta wrote: »

in fact I'm unaware of anyone who actually went to the proceedings.

Err, don't you live in Fermanagh, which would probably explain why?

Cotta

D.A. wrote: »

Err, don't you live in Fermanagh, which would probably explain why?

Err Nooo and tell me something why are you so full of hate?

D.A.

Cotta wrote: »

Err Nooo and tell me something why are you so full of hate?

You appear to be seeing something that isn't actually there.

saverbuyer

Cotta wrote: »

I feel Dot and Jennifer are entitled to their opinions and it's a bit unfair to shoot them down for having such.

I would agree that for many in NI the Giro as a sport holds no interest and in fact I'm unaware of anyone who actually went to the proceedings. However I am in support of bringing such an event to NI, I would be interested to see if this will bring the revenue to justify the 5.5 million price tag (who makes up these figures??). It would also have been nice to see some of the more run down areas of the city regenerated for the event or as a result of the event but this doesn't seem to have happened.

It was really well supported, no doubt about it.