CAUSEWAY Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to benefit from increased tourism as the Armoy Road Races take place on the 24th and 25th July.
Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has witnessed first hand the boost to tourism that the annual event brings, and says this year will be no different: “The Armoy Road Races generate much interest in our beautiful Causeway Coast and Glens, especially with events happening throughout Bike Week that keep people in the area, which feeds back into our local economy.
“Coleraine office of the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council says it has seen an increase in tourists from across Ireland, North and South, as well as international road racing fans who come to enjoy the races and the wonderful attractions that the area has on offer.
“This year, we have received enquires from all over the UK, Ireland, Europe, even reaching as far as New Zealand. The New Zealand guests are coming to Northern Ireland specifically for The Armoy Road Races, and re-arranged their original travel plans to make sure Northern Ireland was included!” concluded Mayor Knight-McQuillan.
Chairman of the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, William Munnis, welcomed the comments and said, “Armoy is on the map for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s to watch the Armoy Road Races or visit the various filming locations like the Dark Hedges, used in the filming of Game of Thrones – it’s just a great place to be.
“We, as a club, are very much involved in the community as well as the Armoy Road Races, and therefore appreciate how important tourism is, not just to Northern Ireland, but to our scenic Causeway Coast. It is essential that we attract people to the area to sustain businesses and to keep our economy afloat. If the Armoy Road Races helps to highlight the area in some way, then we are incredibly proud of that.”
Trevor Kane, owner of the Bayview Hotel and sponsor of the Supersport Race 2, said, “ I think that we are extremely lucky to live and work in this beautiful part of the world and to have events like the Armoy Road Races. I’m very much part of the races and I wouldn’t miss them but more importantly I see visitors return year on year to Armoy and to the Bayview Hotel just because of them. It’s a real credit to the Club that they’ve managed to achieve such a great national road racing event in just seven years.”
William Munnis concluded; “I’d ask locals and tourists alike to visit Armoy during our Bike Week from 19th – 25th July, and take the opportunity to visit some of the wonderful attractions in our area too and if you need more information on the Armoy Road Races then visit www.amrrc.com to see what’s happening. You can also search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page as well as follow us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces – so come on, what are you waiting for!”
The event is part funded by Tourism Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Bike Week runs from Sunday 19th July until Saturday 25th July 2015 with the SGS International ‘Race of Legends’ featuring on the Saturday 25th July 2015.
Please support the Armoy Road Races by buying a programme. They are available from the AMRRC office and the Petrol Station in Armoy from the Saturday 18th July 2015 and cost £10.00 or €15.
For more information visit www.amrrc.com or search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can also follow us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.