Invergordon aims to share cruise bounty
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HIGHLAND tourist attractions are being invited to a workshop aimed at helping them to benefit from cruise liner business coming through Invergordon.
The day-long seminar, organised by the Port of Cromarty Firth, will be held on Thursday February 16 in Inverness.
It will allow companies in the Highlands to find out how working with the cruise sector could boost their business.
A total of 97,993 passengers visited the Highlands last year through the Invergordon port, generating an estimated income of nearly £10 million in the local economy.
Run in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with the support of Inverness Chamber of Commerce and VisitScotland, the workshop is designed for businesses running tourist and visitor attractions in the Highlands, including retailers, golf courses, distilleries and restaurants.
Attendees will be introduced to the ground-handling companies who represent the major cruise lines that visit the Port in Invergordon, and they will be able to take part in a question and answer session with them.
They will also discover how to design excursion itineraries that are appealing to tourists and tailored to the various cruise lines.
The Port of Cromarty Firth welcomed more cruise passengers than any other Scottish port in 2016.
"We are excited to be able to organise this event and help support Highland businesses in this way," said port chief executive Bob Buskie.
"Each year, the cruise industry through the port in Invergordon brings about £10 million to the Highland economy and we want to help local organisations take full advantage of this."
James Gibbs, HIE’s area manager for Inner Moray Firth, said: "The cruise sector has seen growth year on year and is important to our region’s economy, bringing in visitors from all over the world, many of which come ashore to tour or shop.
"We are delighted to support this initiative from the Port of Cromarty Firth to host this seminar which will highlight how our local businesses can benefit as much as possible from the economic contribution, which cruise ships can bring to the local area."
Stewart Nicol, chief executive, Inverness Chamber of Commerce added: "This cruise workshop is a great opportunity for Highland businesses to maximise commercial prospects for their business from the growing number of cruise ships visiting the Port of Cromarty Firth.
"The cruise ship market has become a very significant addition to the local economy with the growth in ships and visitors expected to grow significantly over the next few years.
"The Port of Cromarty Firth and HIE have combined resources to run the cruise workshop to help local businesses understand fully the ways in which they can benefit from this growing trade, and work together to ensure the port continues to be seen as a must-visit destination for these luxury liners and passengers."
The workshop will be held at the Centre for Health Science, Inverness, from 9am to 5pm, with the cost £11 per person.
Places are limited to ensure each business has time to speak to the ground handlers.
To reserve your place, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gain-more-business-from-the-cruise-sector-tickets-30289693288
