Southampton celebrates Cruise Partnership launch
The newly formed Cruise Partnership was launched last month aboard the iconic cruise liner, the QEII. The event was attended by a number of key business people from the region and local dignitaries including the Sheriff of Southampton.
The excited buzz among guests was generated as much by the substantial amount of interest in the plans of the Cruise Partnership group as by the success it has already managed to achieve while still in its infancy. Speakers from Business Southampton, Cunard, Tourism South East, Southampton Airport (BAA), Cavendish Ships Stores and Associated British Ports (ABP) all contributed to the event:
Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Southampton who has overseen the partnership's launch, gave an overview of the group. Sally has been involved in many of its projects including, with the support of Associated British Ports (ABP), the installation of the long-awaited directional signs, which are now being progressed, pointing passengers into the port from the M271 motorway.
Jan Halliday, Director of Marketing and Communications at Southampton Airport (BAA), outlined plans for the airport and how a new baggage handling scheme, planned between port and airport, will make life easier for cruise passengers: "What we have seen in the last few years is Southampton becoming very, very successful in the world of cruising. We are looking at ways for cruise passengers to arrive here in the port in a really easy, stress free way, transfer their baggage to the airport and possibly provide those passengers with the opportunity to spend time in this really lovely place. We want to provide them with a bonus day, as Southampton is a resort in its own right. There are, of course, customs and security issues which we will have to iron out, but we hope our vision will be trialled in the spring of 2008. We want visitors to enjoy their time here, and to come back and visit us again!"
The Cruise Partnership has been set up to boost regional tourism and the visitor economy within Southampton and the Hampshire area. The focus of the Partnership will be on maximising the commercial opportunities of the Port City's burgeoning cruise industry for the benefit of the region's economy. In addition the Cruise Partnership will make travelling to Southampton a more pleasurable and rewarding experience and encourage the many thousands of passengers who travel in and out of the port terminals every year to enjoy all that Hampshire has to offer the visitor.
Cruise Partnership Southampton has been established by Business Southampton which also manages and facilitates activities, projects and communications for the initiative. City Champions involved include Carnival (whose Southampton vessel calls include Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Ocean Village), Royal Caribbean/Celebrity, Southampton Port (ABP), Tourism South East, Southern Marine Services, The Southampton Hoteliers Association, Southampton Airport (BAA) and Destination Southampton.
If you would like to find out more log on to http://www.businesssouthampton.com
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