| Galway is the festival capital Ireland. It has a | | | | premium during these events and is usually |
| thriving youth culture and a richly diverse blend of | | | | booked well in advance by regular visitors and |
| events and attractions throughout the year. It is a | | | | devotees. |
| vibrant, friendly city and a powerful magnet for | | | | According to a recent Bord Failte report, mainland |
| tourists from all over the world. | | | | Europe produced the strongest growth in |
| 'Going to Galway' has become synonymous with | | | | overseas visitors to Ireland with significant |
| 'going on holiday' or 'getting away from it all'. | | | | increases from France, Spain and the Nordic |
| 'Going to Galway' means stepping off the treadmill | | | | countries, and good growth from Italy, Germany |
| of life and entering that other dimension where | | | | and Switzerland. In addition, the emerging markets |
| imagination reigns supreme, where fun and | | | | in Eastern and Central Europe continue to |
| merriment dictate your progress from day to | | | | generate significant increases. |
| day. | | | | The report added that visitor satisfaction levels |
| Galway is celebrated for its lively pubs, | | | | with their holiday in Ireland remained high in 2007: |
| atmospheric restaurants and dynamic street | | | | "For 93% their holiday either exceeded or |
| entertainment. There are concerts, displays and | | | | matched their expectations and 98% said they |
| exhibitions throughout the year. Music, | | | | would recommend a holiday in Ireland. Their |
| conversation and laughter seem to emanate from | | | | satisfaction with specific elements of their holiday |
| the very walls. | | | | here was very consistent: beautiful scenery |
| The Galway Races, Galway Arts Festival and the | | | | (90%); friendly people (86%); natural, unspoilt |
| Galway Oyster Festival are three of the most | | | | environment (80%); and safety and security |
| successful events in Ireland and, as such, attract | | | | (78%)." |
| many thousands of new and returning visitors | | | | Thousands of these visitors gravitate unerringly |
| annually. Bed and breakfast and hotel | | | | to Galway beguiled by the city's magical reputation |
| accommodation in Galway is understandably at a | | | | and a host of travellers' tales. |