Over 80,000 people are expected to descend on Galway this weekend for Seafest 2017, giving the region's tourism sector a major midsummer boost.
The Galway Independent reports that the festival's organisers say many hotels in Galway city are already booked out for the event, with delegates flying into Ireland to take part in a global ocean science summit in the city and families from across the country flocking to the county to partake in the festivities.
Seafest chairman Dr. John Killeen commented: "Seafest has generated enormous interest at home and abroad establishing itself as a global leader in ocean research and the biggest family friendly free festival of its kind in the country this year. With the level of hotel and restaurant bookings we are seeing, we estimate that the maritime festival based around the harbour and the ocean summit at NUI Galway will be worth at least €5 million in direct income and many times more in indirect spending."
Seafest will be officially launched by Mayor Councillor of Galway Pearce Flannery at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 29 June and will run until Sunday 2 July.
