Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Liverpool represents a significant new entrant to the market. Iternary planners for cruise lines will be attracted to the city's heritage (home of the Beatles), and its waterfront has seen significant regeneration. Of course, Liverpool is also home to the former head office of Cunard Line, so there is lots of cruise line heritage too. The key point is that Dover is equally historic, but needs to make much more of its assets.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Many UK ports are now looking at the cruise business given the fact that it is the fastest growinc sector in the tourism business. Portland is now attracting cruise ships and interestingly the port operator has called on local retailers to consider taking euros. For many cruise itineraries, they will only have one port of call in the UK. Therefore, many passengers will not have Sterling currency. Given the high number of not just cruise passengers, but also passing ferry trade, this is another area where Dover could do better in making these visitors welcome. Yes, I appreciate the exchange rate is not good at present, but business is business.
We shouldn't overlook just how much this business brings to the local economy. Not just the passengers either. On Tuesday I was in WH Smith and was asked by a crew member from the Saga Sapphire to take his photo with the cashier! He was buying plenty of products (books, greetings cards, etc.) Our shops need to do more to attract trade like this, for example, by displaying some sort of "Cruise Welcome" sign.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
Can't be complacent with the Cruise business, always someone offering deals to lure the business away. Geography means we are No 1 for the Ferry business but the Cruise market has to be fought for.
Audere est facere.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Yes Martin. Less 'gateway' and more of a destination in itself.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
All of these kinds of things and more, are in my Tourism Strategy;virtually complete now and ready for distributing out, but there is always someone with a new or different idea that could be included - that's why it is a "living" and evolving document.
Roger