Energy burst beckons for Port of Tyne
Andrew Moffat says Port of Tyne, while facing up to a more difficult trading period, it is also preparing for clear opportunities ahead.
Cruise tourism crucial to our economy
PORT of Tyne’s entry to the Top 250 this year for the first time coincides with confirmation it has become one of Europe’s fastest growing ports with a total of 73,241 cruise tourists between 2006 and 2008.
The average spend per passenger is estimated at £100, an increase from £60 when the last study was made in 2004.
Cruise tourism now contributes more than £5m to the region’s economy, says the latest report commissioned by regional development agency One North East.
In 2006, the figure was only £3.9m and the agency believes cruise tourism is well on its way to hitting a £6.5m target by 2015.
Last year 29 cruise ships came to the region either on transit or turnaround calls. This created 84 direct jobs for transit calls and 59 for turnarounds. This year 23 ships are already confirmed.
One of the first three calls included the Eurodam, the largest vessel in the HollandAmerica Line fleet, where more than 30 coaches took passengers across the region on a number of shore excursions.
A survey of passengers and crew at the Port of Tyne showed high levels of satisfaction. Best scores were given for friendliness of residents and courtesy of local employees. The shore side welcomes and excursions were also highly rated.
The aim of the latest report is to evaluate a three-year action plan for cruise tourism. The plan was led by One North East Tourism and the Port of Tyne, and ended in 2008. Findings of this report will now help to put in place a new action plan for years ahead.
To keep up the good work, a “welcome team” programme of training has been carried out to better the skills and knowledge of those greeting passengers coming into the region including, tourist information centre staff, volunteers and tourism officers.
Stacy Hall, ONE’s communications and tourism director, says: “Cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global tourism industry, and the North East is emerging as a new and exciting destination. The region has a lot to offer cruise passengers.”
ONE and Port of Tyne exhibited together at this year’s Seatrade Convention in Miami, the world’s largest and foremost cruise trade event, attended by more than 10,000 key decision makers from around the world.
Fergus Poole, manager of the port’s cruise and international passenger terminal, says: “Bookings for this year are doing well and we already have 24 ships confirmed for 2010.
“With continued marketing of the region at high-profile events, such as Seatrade, we shall maintain the standing of the port with the cruise community.”
