Saga Rose Cruise ship visit welcomed by Port

 Authority and Tourism Agency / Launch of New 

Cruise Marketing Initiative - 29 August 2005

PRESS RELEASE

Foynes Port on Ireland's West Coast today welcomed the arrival of the cruise vessel, Saga Rose. The Saga Rose, over 170m in length and weighing almost 25,000 Tonnes, with 550 passengers and 350 crew, is on a tour of Ireland and the UK, with Foynes as one of its main Irish calls. This visit by the Saga Rose, the largest such vessel to visit the Estuary, confirms the importance of the new marketing initiative being undertaken by Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company.

In recognition of the growing cruise market globally, and its positive economic impact, Shannon Foynes Port Company and Shannon Development have joined forces to initiate a new marketing campaign aimed at increasing the number of cruise liners which call at the Shannon Estuary. The Estuary's deepwater facilities can cater for the largest cruise liners, while the tourism and visitor product available in the hinterland is of world-class standard.

Commenting on the arrival, Shannon Foynes Port Company Commercial Manager Martin Morrissey said "We are very pleased to welcome the Saga Rose to Foynes today; Saga has been calling at Foynes for a number of years now and this latest vessel call highlights the ability of the port facilities to offer an attractive and efficient service for progressive cruise operators who seek out the highest of standards for their passengers. We are committed to working with Shannon Development and cruise operators to ensure that the Shannon Estuary becomes a sought after destination."

Shannon Development's Project Manager, John Crowe, added: "Shannon Development welcomes the Saga Rose to Foynes and the Shannon Region. The Saga Company's continued visits highlight the quality of top class visitor products and activities within the Shannon Region which are a proven international draw and we will be continuing to target additional companies. The proactive marketing and targeting of other cruise calls to Ireland's Shannon Region will be assisted by the specialist dedicated website www.shannoncruises.ie and the new brochure."

He continued: "The Shannon Region on Ireland's West Coast is endowed with an abundance of quality tourism products including Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Ballybunion Golf Course (ranked 11th in the world), the Hunt Museum, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Foynes Aviation Museum. In conjunction with the shore product, the region is also ideally placed relative to other Irish cruise ports, or indeed for transatlantic calls. The proximity of an international airport with global connections also offers the option of establishing turn facilities for crew and passengers."

Managing Director of Saga Shipping, Jim Clench, said: "Our cruises around Britain and Ireland are becoming more and more popular, and we have taken great care to ensure that the itineraries that we offer include visits to places that are yet to be discovered by the tourist masses. Saga's customers find the welcome they receive in Ireland is tremendous, and we hope that we shall be regular visitors for many years to come."

The passengers from the Saga Rose enjoyed a variety of excursions while berthed at Foynes, with groups availing of the opportunity to visit the Cliff's of Moher, Bunratty, Limerick City and Killarney as well as the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

 

Background note for editors 

The number of cruise liners calling at Irish ports has been steadily increasing in recent years and this is one of the most rapidly growing areas within the tourism sector globally. Recent studies emphasise that cruise passengers tend to be affluent and spend more than the average tourist, with direct expenditure typically in excess of €250 per head, and indirect benefits of an equivalent amount.

The cruise industry is the most exciting growth category in the entire leisure market, achieving an average of over 8% annual growth since 1980, but with much of this growth coming within the last decade. Cruising is an important means to sample destinations, with survey's indicating that as many as 50% of passengers return to holiday in areas they have called at. Latest figures show that Ireland's share of the international cruise sector had risen steadily over the previous ten years to some 146,198 cruise ship passengers and crew in 2004, an increase of 23% over 2003. During the previous four years, the number of cruse liners visiting ports on the Ireland had nearly doubled, from 77 in the year 2000, to 142 in 2004. In total the cruise sector is estimated to have contributed in excess of €75m to the Irish economy in 2004 supporting over 540 jobs. The marketing campaign by Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company is targeting the major cruise operators worldwide and emphasises the fine tourism product available in the mid-West and beyond, easily accessible from the port of Foynes which, with its deepwater facilities, is capable of handling some of the largest cruise vessels currently in operation.

The two companies have joined forces to ensure that cruise operators receive a dedicated and committed service in the research, development and management of cruise calls in the region. As part of this proactive initiative to target additional calls to the Shannon Region, a detailed colour brochure outlining the facilities and different programmes on offer, has been published and a dedicated website www.shannoncruises.ie has also been established and is on line.

For further information: Tim O'Brien, O'Brien Communications, 087 2417664.

Shannon Foynes Port Company contact: Martin Morrissey, 069 73100 or 086 6094852.

Shannon Development contact: John Crowe, 061 710215 or 086 2315574.