Ideas afloat for West Cork coast tourism
In particular they are to focus on bringing more smaller cruise liners, with up to 800 passengers each, into Bantry and Glengarriff and putting together shore excursions which will be based in the West Cork region.
As part of the plan, they are hosting a public meeting in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, on Thursday at 2.30pm.
Port of Cork commercial manager Captain Michael McCarthy said a major drive was to be undertaken to attract more cruise line passengers with shore excursion packages.
However, he said it was not just confined to those who came off ships anchored off West Cork.
“We are also going to aim shore excursion packages to West Cork for those who come off the larger cruise liners, some of which can have more than 3,000 passengers, when they dock at the deep water quay in Cobh.”
He said that research showed the average spend per cruise passenger per day when they disembark in Cork is €73.
“In August alone we believe the number of ships arriving will lead to more than €2m being spent by their passengers in the region.”
Even more importantly, research shows many satisfied cruise passengers are likely to make a return trip to a region under their own steam, possibly for a week or fortnight, and thus spend a lot more money.
“Research shows that around 30% of people who like an area will come back and stay in hotels or B&Bs. We had the Vision of The Seas in Cork last week which had 2,000 passengers from Nordic countries on board,” said Capt McCarthy.
“We spoke to some of them and they were blown away by the scenery and hospitality. If some come back again that will be a bonus for the region.”
More than 60 cruise ships visit Cork every year and the number is increasing all the time. Bantry and Glengarriff can get anything between three to 10 of them.
“We’re looking to get many more cruise liners to visit West Cork and we need to get people together in the tourism business to provide attractive shore excursions,” said Capt McCarthy.
A county council spokesman said the success of the initiative will depend on local communities, tourism businesses, chambers of commerce, and other partners working together to win West Cork’s share of this lucrative market.
“If you believe that your community or business has something to offer cruise ship operators and their guests, or would like to learn more about the initiative, you are invited to attend the public meeting,” the spokesman added.
Speakers will include James Fogarty, the council’s West Cork manager; Capt Michael McCarthy; and Derry Cronin of Specialised Travel Services.
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