Aberdeen to bid for Tall Ships event again as early as 2030

Aberdeen will bid to host the Tall Ships Races again, after the success of the event in the city this year.

Nearly half a million people attended in July, with the economic benefit put at more than £30m.

The city will now bid to host the event again as early as 2030.

An evaluation report, and intention to bid, put to the local authority’s finance and resources committee was agreed.

The Tall Ships Races was one of the biggest tourist events in Scotland this year.

The majority of the 496,000 visits were from people who live in the north east of Scotland.

About a fifth came to the city from other parts of Scotland and the UK.

The £32m generated for the local economy was better than had been predicted.

The pre-event estimate had been for about £20m.

The committee agreed to bid for the Tall Ships Races, in consultation with Port of Aberdeen and Sail Training International, for as early as 2030.

Councillor Martin Greig, chairman of the Tall Ships Event Organising Committee, 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.”