PORTS OF CARDIFF AND SWANSEA POISED TO ATTRACT CRUISE BUSINESS
As the UK cruise industry currently enjoys something of a boom, Associated British Ports (ABP) has launched its latest cruise brochure to help entice more cruise calls to its Ports of Cardiff, Swansea, Hull, Ayr & Troon, Barrow, Plymouth and Southampton. Benefiting from a unique geographical spread across the UK, award-winning cruise facilities and close proximity to international airports, ABP’s cruise ports are attractive destinations for the growing number of “Round Britain” and international cruise itineraries.
From 2000 to 2004, the number of cruise passengers who passed through UK ports grew by 14 per cent per year, with the figure looking set to rise in the future. The UK Cruise Passenger Shipping Association estimates that 1.25 million British holidaymakers will take ocean cruises this year. The prospect of further growth is excellent news for the cities and their environs. For example, 1,100 cruise passengers are expected to call at the Port of Swansea in 2006, contributing an estimated £110,000 to the local economy.
Cardiff consistently surprises visitors with its vast diversity and youthful, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city boasts Europe’s largest waterfront development and numerous stylish shopping malls, family attractions and bars and eateries, catering for all tastes.
Swansea’s reputation as the gateway to the famous Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first-declared Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is of interest to cruise passengers, as are the miles of rugged seascape, historic castles and quaint local villages.
Superbly located less than two kilometres from their respective city centres, the Ports of Cardiff and Swansea can handle cruise vessels of up to 200 metres in length. An extensive range of hospitality services is available for disembarking cruise passengers, including traditional Welsh choirs, a welcome marquee and local arts and crafts stalls.
ABP South Wales continues to work with the Wales Tourist Board and a number of port, tourism and Government partners to promote and publicise Wales as a cruise destination. The partnership, named Cruise Wales, has resulted in the creation of a web portal – www.cruisewales.net – that promotes the Welsh ports of Cardiff, Swansea, Milford Haven, Fishguard and Holyhead.
The work of Cruise Wales, combined with the facilities and amenities that ABP’s cruise ports can offer, has started to pay dividends, with the Port of Swansea scheduled to handle two turnaround cruise calls this year. Travelscope Holiday’s m.v. Van Gogh, which can carry 550 passengers, will depart from the port on a nine-day cruise to Spain, Portugal and Morocco in October 2006, before returning to embark passengers on an overnight Hallowe’en-party cruise to Liverpool.
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director for the South Wales Ports, said:
“The cruise facilities ABP is able to provide at the Ports of Cardiff and Swansea, combined with the two cities’ numerous, easily accessible and attractive sights and activities, place the two ports firmly in the cruising limelight during this exciting time for the industry.”
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