Dickson Encourages Cruise Tourism Bounce Back

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has urged the Minister for the Economy to shore up cruise ship facilities in Northern Ireland in a bid to capitalise on potential added tourism given that Dublin Port will not be accepting cruise ships for 2022.

Mr Dickson said: “Pre-pandemic, Belfast’s cruise tourism was in an excellent position, contributing to the overall tourist economy in a major way.”

Indeed, Cruise Belfast, the sales and marketing partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, has been establishing strong and profitable working relationships with cruise lines and operators since 1999.

Significant investment has been made to Belfast’s port-side facilities in recent years with the Department for the Economy, through Tourism Northern Ireland, part funding an £800,000 programme in 2019, which included the first dedicated cruise welcome facility on the Island of Ireland. It enables larger cruise ships to dock in Belfast and includes a Visitor Information Centre. Additionally, new gangways and luggage scanners were installed to enable Belfast to be promoted as an embarkation port.

Mr Dickson explained that: “The pandemic has taken a toll on our cruise industry, as it has down worldwide, however Cruise Belfast has worked closely with the Public Health Agency, the Port Health Authority, Maritime Policing, and the Belfast City Council Emergency Planning Team, to put measures in place for a safe return to cruise tourism when possible.

“In a letter from the Minister for the Economy, I was pleased to hear that capital funding has been secured from the Department’s Recovery Programme to ensure that full safe-guarding measures are in place for the first cruise arrivals. I understand that the investment will help provide as safe an environment as possible for cruise guests, crew, local staff and the wider local population, whilst delivering a warm and informative welcome.

“It is my firm belief that Northern Ireland’s strong track record, combined with an increased investment in facilities will only help to strengthen Belfast’s position as a cruise destination”.

Mr Dickson concluded by saying that: “I was delighted to hear from the Minister for the Economy, that he will be strongly encouraging Cruise Belfast to continue engaging with the cruise lines to take advantage of market opportunities as they arise from the Port of Dublin’s decision to limit cruise calls in 2022”.