Cardiff will soon follow in the steps of New York, Rome and Athens as the Welsh capital city looks to profit from on the expanding cruise industry.
Cardiff has been able to attract world-renowned cruise liners for later this year - such as Silverseas and Residensea - which will carry 540 and 285 passengers respectively.
The accommodating docks of Queen Alexandra will allow the 26 metre wide ships to enter the dock, and allow passengers to enter Cardiff. This will establish the capital city as a cruise destination for day visits allowing greater numbers of cruise ships into the area.
Kathryn Richards revealed in the economy and culture scrutiny committee on Friday that cultural attractions such as Cardiff Castle had recorded record profits of £1,500. This was due to the Prinsendam cruise ship which docked in Newport in July 2009 after the council organised shuttle buses for the passengers – a service which is proposed to be used in the future.
Cruise lines are attracted to Cardiff because of the expanding cruise sector which is experiencing year on year growth (9%). The growth inevitably creates further jobs for ship pilots, taxi drivers, and dock security as well as on board crew. The average spend for passengers in 2008/9 was £70 per passenger.
However, Cardiff has in fact attracted ships whose passengers are at the top end of spending upon the five star plus luxury cruise liners.
It was revealed, 87% of customers on the cruise ships have stated they had an excellent experience in Cardiff and 100% of visitors to Cardiff said they would recommend the city to someone they knew.
Canton Councillor Richard Cook asked: "Is there any room for investment into Wales from the passengers themselves?"
Sally Edwards Hart, operational manager for tourism in Cardiff, replied. She said:
"The city sells itself and even though these customers are on holiday we are approaching to invest into the area and we are negotiating at present."
Steven Lawless is a final year BA Journalism student at the University of Glamorgan.
Update 20/07/2010 In the meeting Sally Edwards Hart said Cardiff Council could increase the current volume of cruise business by investing in additional marketing activities and small scale infrastructure improvements to promote Cardiff as a serious cruise destination - which could be resourced by 65% European funding - working with partner cities in anticipation for a call for funding.
Read the full committee report here.
