Expressions of interest invited from host cities for 2019-20 and 2021-22
Showcase your destination to a global audience by hosting the world’s biggest matched fleet of large ocean racing yachts in a stage of this unique biennial circumnavigation of the planet by everyday people from all walks of life.
Host Port benefits include:
- BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT
- EXTENSIVE GLOBAL MEDIA EXPOSURE
- HIGH VISITOR AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
- STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
- EFFECTIVE AND EXCLUSIVE PARTNER NETWORK
- LONGER-TERM LEGACY OPPORTUNITIES
The twelfth edition of this unique biennial event starts in August 2019 and will take almost a year to complete a series of approximately 14 races between exceptional Host Ports on six continents. Expressions of interest are now being invited from prospective candidate cities for the 2019-20 and 2021-22 editions.
QUALIFICATION
In order to qualify as a Candidate City Host Ports must be in an accessible region for the race route and have marina capacity and depth of water to berth a fleet of twelve Clipper 70 yachts, each 23 metres / 76 feet long (including bow sprit), a beam of 5.65 metres / 18.5 feet, a mast height of 29 metres / 95 feet above the waterline (so for example there should be no bridge or other height restrictions below this at high water on the approach from the sea) and a draft of 3.2 metres / 10.5 feet (minimum depth at low water in the marina and approaches).
A full list of Host Port requirements will be included in the detailed bid pack.
AWARD
The award of official Host Port status will consider the quality and location of the destination; suitability of facilities and track record in hosting international events; value of combination of rights fee and facilities/services in kind; all proposed added value, activation and any complementary events to enhance the crew, sponsor, media and visitor experience; promotional activity.
While Host Port status is separate to the opportunity to become a Team Partner, priority will be given to any prospective Host Port which also intends to become a Team Partner*
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
To lodge your expression of interest please email [email protected] giving full details of your lead organisation and the primary point of contact including telephone and email so we can get in touch with details of the next steps and to answer any questions you may have.
Simple staged process:
- Lodge Expression of Interest - by 31 December 2017.
- Pre-qualification and Consultation period – approximately 4 weeks (which will be in phased geographical regions to be confirmed).
- Full Submission – Deadline by region TBA.
- Award Decision – within 4 weeks of requested submission deadline.
OVERVIEW
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race provides a proven formula for success refined over twenty two years of operating this unique human challenge to deliver a high return on investment for all its partners. Dollar for dollar there’s a highly competitive ROI derived from qualitative and measurable outcomes as well as supporting quantitative outputs in such areas as economic impact, business growth, brand awareness, visitor numbers, customer engagement and media exposure.
In host ports, the crowds marvel at Clipper Race crew, from all walks of life, in their fleet of identical 70-foot yachts, who have taken on the world’s toughest oceans in the Corinthian spirit to race around the globe. Having made landfall hundreds of crew set about maintaining and restocking their vessels as well as taking time to recharge their own batteries in the world’s most hospitable locations.
Friends and family travel to Host Port locations to be reunited with the crew, and take in the local sights, before the adventurers return to the ocean to continue the 40,000 nautical mile endurance challenge. The stopovers, which are up to 10 days long, create a high demand for hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and tourism experiences. While the yachts are in port the public can access the fleet, climb aboard, meet the crew, enjoy free boat tours and discover more in the Clipper Race Fan Zone; there are even opportunities to sample sailing for a few hours.
The Clipper Race crew, supporters, partners and organisers make a significant economic impact which can be enhanced even further by attracting additional visitors through promotions, offers, complementary activity, events and even festivals built around, or arranged to coincide with, the fleet’s presence in port, driving overnight as well as day visitors. Add to this the international media spotlight that falls on Host Ports and the benefits are diverse and extensive.
Sponsoring partners, including the Host Port, can entertain official guests at the dockside, onboard and out on the water; interact through the high calibre Clipper Race business and government partner network, creating valuable opportunities to use this strategic platform to develop new, or strengthen existing, relationships.
The combination of active life style, environmental awareness and social engagement connects with local populations and indigenous cultures through this accessible and inspiring human challenge. Longer term relationships with Host Ports are frequent and can build a multi-faceted legacy of tourism, trade, culture, sport and community development.
*TEAM PARTNER: TAKE YOUR DESTINATION TO THE WORLD
A number of Host Ports enhance their partnership by also becoming Team Partners – branding one of the yachts to take the destination name around the world and to activate in ports of call with tourism, trade and cultural promotions in target markets, engaging with international travel press and media, travel trade, business and VIP guests to enjoy special on board events and sailing experiences.
Engagement at home can be further enhanced by fully embracing the Clipper Race with local people selected to join the crew of the branded yacht as destination ambassadors. This also provides added impetus for local/regional/national residents, schools and community groups to follow the progress of ‘their’ team and to want to see it in port, thus helping to drive even more visitor numbers and much greater emotional engagement.