Aberdeen will bid to host the Tall Ships Races again as early as 2030 after the huge success of the event earlier in July, which was the most attended free event in Scotland this year.
The four-day spectacle - organised alongside Port of Aberdeen and Sail Training International - attracted 496,000 visits and generated an unprecedented £2.08million of revenue for the city, boosting hotel occupancy and room rates and delivering positive business impacts across the board.
An evaluation report and an intention to bid for the Tall Ships was agreed by Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee.
Chairperson of the Tall Ships Event Organising Committee, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “It was such a joy to see so many people enjoying the spectacle of the ships in the harbour as well as the concerts, food, and stalls surrounding the event.”
“There was such a feel-good atmosphere at the Tall Ships Races and it would be great to bring that back to Aberdeen so we are delighted that we will be putting a formal bid in again."
Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen were even more of a success than was envisioned with over 496,000 visits across the weekend providing a massive boost to the economy and to local businesses.”
He added: “Aberdeen City Council, working with the Port of Aberdeen, are committed to securing the return of the Tall Ships from 2030 to build on the success of the event."
The committee also agreed to provisionally cover costs for 10 sail trainees from Aberdeen to participate in the Tall Ships Races each year.
The report detailed £293,000 in hospitality and bar income, £19,000 in retail sales, £21,000 from park and ride, £158,000 from concerts, £266,000 in cash sponsorship, £241,000 in sponsorship in kind, and £1.08million of grant support.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The huge success of the event in July and the extraordinary extent of the economic boost and lasting legacy it brought the city and wider region shows what can be achieved when key stakeholders, business leaders and organisations work in full partnership.”