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Port of Tyne welcomes record visitor numbers

The Port of Tyne’s cruise business remains buoyant, as latest figures indicate that record numbers of ships are set to dock this season and next.

In 2011 more than 600,000 passengers travelled through the Port of Tyne’s International Terminal at North Shields, including more than 35,000 cruise ship visitors and 300,000 passengers on the Amsterdam DFDS ferry route.

It is estimated that these visits are worth over £45 million to the region, and supports 1,700 jobs outside of the Port.

Port of Tyne chief executive Andrew Moffat said: “We are delighted to be welcoming a record number of cruise ships to the Port of Tyne starting from April and going right through the season.

“It is a real coup to have some of the world’s leading cruise operators either starting their cruise itineraries here or making sure that they make North East England one of their stops on the journey.

“We are particularly pleased that Thomson Cruises – one of the first companies to realise the potential of the Port of Tyne back in 2005 - is returning this year with ten calls scheduled.”

In 2012 at least 37 cruise ships are expected to berth at the Port of Tyne, 20 more than last year. A record 17 cruises are also set to start their voyage from the Port this year.

This increase can be attributed to the greater choice of destinations, which now include Alicante and Malaga in Spain, as well as destinations in Portugal, Russia and Scandinavia.

The Port of Tyne has worked closely with NewcastleGateshead Initiative, North Tyneside Council and regional visitor attractions to persuade the cruise operators itinerary planners to encourage more operators to stop at the Port of Tyne.

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive at the destination management and marketing agency, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “The growth in traffic through the Port of Tyne is great news for the region and the many tourism partners we work with.

“When cruise ships arrive on the River Tyne, passengers enjoy a wealth of experiences across North East England, and we know they are more likely to return as a result.

“The ongoing investment by Port of Tyne in the facilities and the visitor experience ensures that the terminal is a major benefit for the whole region’s economy.

“We are delighted to continue to work with the Port and cruise and ferry operators to maximise opportunities for routes into and out of the destination.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .