Scilly set for cruise ship season

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The Isles of Scilly is raring to go for the 2016 cruise ship season, which gets underway tomorrow with the arrival of 300 German passengers on Fram.

New “Passport to Scilly” folders have been designed and printed over the winter, and new information packs have been prepared, all designed to give guests “a fantastic experience of the Isles of Scilly”.

One of the aims of the new information packs, in addition to offering up-to-date what’s on and getting around information, is to encourage passengers to venture further than Hugh Town.

Islands Partnership director, David Jackson, commented: “Ultimately, our goal is to give cruise ship passengers a really warm Scillonian welcome and the best visitor experience that we can, so that they will be encouraged to return to the islands for holidays or short breaks.

“Even if they come only for a day, cruise ship passengers contribute a significant additional spend in the local economy through tours, food and drink, shopping and boating but of course, it becomes truly beneficial if they come back for holidays – and, anecdotally, we know that this does happen. Giving them the perfect welcome, gives them the best reason to come back.”

The Isles of Scilly will welcome some 52 cruise ships in 2016 with more than 19,000 passengers anticipated between April and the end of September.

The busiest day of the year is anticipated to be July 12, when 1,600 cruise ship visitors are expected to arrive on three ships (Magallen 1,200 passengers; Minerva 350 passengers and Corinthian 80 passengers).

On June 9, 1,300 cruise ship visitors are expected.