The Crown Princess, one of 6 sister cruise liner ships from Princess Cruises, played host to the launch of Dublin City Council’s Cruise Traffic and Urban Regeneration Plan (CTUR) at Dublin Port this week.
The new plan is part of an EU initiative involving 10 other European cities which are also committed to improving their port facilities. The new scheme in Dublin aims to build on the work of the Dublin Port Authority, which has developed the cruise trade over the last 15 years.
Speaking at the launch on board the Crown Princess, Dublin’s outgoing Lord Mayor, Gerry Breen, said, “Twenty years ago there were no cruise liners calling in at Dublin, but now the trade contributes 50 million euro to the city of Dublin; the cruise ship industry is the fastest growing branch of global tourism, and the CTUR Plan aims to make Dublin an even more attractive destination to cruise liners.”
Mr Jim Keogan from Dublin City Council said: “Part of the CTUR plan will be to move where the liners dock from Ocean’s Pier, which is out of view to the public and less convenient to the city. It is our intention that the ships dock close to the East Link Bridge which will be in public view with easier access to the city centre for passengers who want to disembark. At present, between 40 and 60 per cent of passengers disembark, generating millions for the local economy. We hope to dramatically increase this number by improving the area even more to encourage the ships to stay longer than the current norm, which is usually 12 hours.”
Mr Breen reiterated that cruise ship tourism is the fastest growing sector in global tourism. He stated that between 1980 and 2009, 176 million people took cruises that lasted two or more days. Furthermore, cruise ship tourism generated almost 27 billion euro globally in 2009, an increase of 1.4 per cent despite the global recession.
Speaking to tourism stakeholders on board the Crown Princess, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, said: “Dublin’s popularity as a cruise destination has increased significantly in the last decade. Despite the current economic difficulties, the number of vessels visiting the city continues to grow.”
According to Mr Varadkar, this year 85 liners will dock at Dublin Port, generating between 35 and 55 million euro in the local economy. “I am glad to see the local authority and the port company working together to develop cruise liner tourism in the city. I acknowledge the work that the Dublin Port Company has done in bringing in this multi-million-euro trade to Dublin,” he said.
Jim Keogan said the passengers who disembark usually spend their money on tours around the city, and on visiting locations like Malahide castle.
The CTUR project was developed by Dublin City Council, the Dublin Port Company, and the Dublin Docklands Authority. The project also intends to enhance further public space in the port area by providing year-round retail and leisure facilities, a public events programme coinciding with the tourist summer high season, and amenities such as cycle-paths and walk-ways from the port area to the Royal and Grand Canals.
Dublin Port’s Chief Executive, Eamon O Reilly, said: “We support the initial aims of the CTUR plan, which will improve links between the port area and the city centre, and enhance the port area itself. It complements our work to date in attracting the valuable cruise trade to the city. We have a current master plan consultation aimed at preparing the port for the future and better integrating the port with the city it serves, and we look forward to working with Dublin City Council and other agencies to see how the plan can be progressed.”
Dublin Port is a natural port. It is never closed by weather, and covers an area of 261 hectares, supporting 4000 jobs.
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