Welcoming the Shetland Tall Ships Races 2023

That the Parliament notes that the Tall Ships Races returns to Scotland in 2023 with stage 4 of the race at Lerwick, Shetland; further notes that the event will visit Lerwick from 26 to 29 July 2023; welcomes this international event to Scotland, in addition to Norway, the Netherlands and England, as an opportunity to showcase the very best of the Shetland Isles; believes that the Tall Ships Races was a tremendous success when it visited Shetland in 2011, when it attracted 27,000 visitors to Lerwick to witness the event, generating more than £4 million for the local economy; encourages as many people as possible to visit Lerwick; acknowledges that the Tall Ships Races is Europe’s largest free family festival, and commends everyone involved with the organising of the Shetland event for their hard work, dedication and determination to promote tourism and celebrate the islands' maritime links.