29/10/03
Western Australia has won the right to provide a host port in Fremantle for an international round the world yacht race - meaning the port city will once again come alive with yachting fever.
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera announced today that Fremantle would be the only Australian stop for participants in the prestigious Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race.
"During the past four Clipper events over 800 crews have sailed part or all the way around the world," Mr Kucera said.
"The 10-strong racing fleet will spend over a week here in December 2005, attracting international tourists and locals alike to the port city - creating echoes of the heady days of the America's Cup."
The event was estimated to deliver a direct expenditure boost of about $1.8million to WA, and would provide a jobs boost in the tourism and hospitality industries.
Mr Kucera said the beauty of the Clipper race was not just that it would attract visitors while it was in port, but that the State would be promoted throughout the whole race.
"One of the ten 68-foot yachts taking part in the race will be known as 'Western Australia' and will be emblazoned with imagery of our State, acting as a roving tourism ambassador across five continents," he said.
"In each host port, WA will be promoted as a tourist destination and local business opportunities for WA will be explored.
"Each of the yachts will be flying under their national flag, and be skippered and crewed by people from the country they represent, so we anticipate significant global interest as the race progresses."
Mr Kucera said South Africa and the United Kingdom had already signed up to take part in the race.
"The yachts will travel through some of our key tourism markets in Asia and Europe, and WA will be promoted at every stop," he said.
"This kind of exposure is invaluable. It is the sort of event that really captures the public's imagination and can translate into a long-term boost for WA tourism.
"We all remember the drama and excitement associated with WA's participation in the America's Cup and I believe the Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race will generate a similar level of enthusiasm.
"It will bring visitors to WA and lift the State's profile internationally and if we happen to win, so much the better.
"The 2005-06 event will start from the United Kingdom in September 2005 and follow the longest route of all round the world races, finishing in August 2006.
"Fremantle will mark the end of stage three of the event, with the racing fleet then heading for the islands of Indonesia and then China."
The Clipper 2005 Round the World Yacht Race has been secured by EventsCorp, a division of the Western Australian Tourism Commission.
Minister's Office - 9213 7000
