Cruise visits worth €60m to Ireland

THE Irish cruise line business is worth €60 million to the Irish economy.

Cruise Ireland, the marketing group promoting Ireland as a cruise destination said, on average, there are more than 200 cruise visits to Ireland every year carrying around half a million passengers and crew.

The group said there are many indirect economic and tourism benefits to Ireland from this sector, as well as the benefit of introducing Ireland to new markets and business opportunities. They said such cruise visits also help to showcase Ireland’s shore products.

It said one of Ireland’s advantages is the strategic and geographic spread of its ports, many of which are in close proximity to world class tourism destinations.

Chairman of Cruise Ireland, Brendan Keating said Cruise Ireland is looking forward to the 2011 season with confidence.

“We expect to see further growth in ship calls and the continued establishment of Ireland as an important cruise liner destination.

“Cruise Ireland aims to promote the island of Ireland as an excellent cruising ground for cruise companies. With the total economic contribution of €60m, we need to ensure that Ireland maintains this level of business and looks at methods of growing it in the future.”

Cruise Ireland representatives are attending a Seatrade Miami convention to promote Ireland as a cruise line destination. The 2011 season will kick off in early April with calls by the MV Queen Victoria to Cork, MV Boudicca to Dublin and MV Ocean Nova to Belfast.

Cruise Ireland members include Port Authorities, ship agents, retail, transport firms, local authorities and tourist organisations.