West Cork bids to lure cruise ship passengers

Cork County Council and Port of Cork officials will next month meet with the 10 biggest cruise line operators visiting Ireland in an attempt to sell them more shore excursions to West Cork.

The two organisations, which have come together to spearhead a new marketing strategy for the region, will also invite representatives of the cruise companies to visit in November and next February to see first-hand what West Cork has to offer.

Meanwhile, the council’s assistant county manager, James Fogarty, has revealed the local authority’s Economic Development Fund (EDF) — which grant aids €1m annually to businesses — will be accessible to tourist interests in the region which want to enhance their facilities.