#dlharbour – Dun Laoghaire Harbour CEO Gerry Dunne say there is a great opportunity for Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port to work collaboratively on Dublin Bay to emulate the success of Danish capital, Copenhagen in attracting approximately 500,000 cruise visitors per year, which would represent a quadrupling of visitor numbers coming to Dublin Bay in 2015.
In 2011, the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group was formed to bring together various stakeholders with an interest in developing cruise business for the greater Dun Laoghaire area . This stakeholder group includes Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire Business Improvement District [BID]
The Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group engaged in a vigorous marketing campaign, particularly in the United States, to enable Dun Laoghaire to tap into this growing market.
Dun Laoghaire welcomed two cruise calls in 2012 with 140 passengers onboard. Last year saw 13 cruise vessels use the facilities at Dun Laoghaire, with the highlight of the season being the visits of Cunard's Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria.
"Since 2012, due to the attractiveness of Dun Laoghaire and its wonderful harbour, the number of cruise bookings has grown exponentially and 2015 will be the most successful year ever for Dun Laoghaire in terms of attracting cruise passengers to the harbour.", according to Gerry Dunne, CEO of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. 23 cruise vessels have been confirmed to visit Dun Laoghaire in 2015.
The size of these ships is such that they will bring a record 66,867 passengers. With Dublin Port expecting to attract 60,751 cruise passengers, it will be a record year for Dublin Bay. 2015 will be the first year where the number of cruise passengers landing in Dun Laoghaire will exceed those landing in Dublin Port," Mr. Dunne said.
"The great opportunity for Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port is to work collaboratively to emulate the success of Copenhagen in attracting approximately 500,000 cruise visitors per year, which would represent a quadrupling of visitor numbers coming to Dublin Bay in 2015", Mr. Dunne added.
"Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company will be working with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire's Business Improvement District to ensure that cruise passengers have a memorable visit to the town and are encouraged to return again, providing a valuable source of business for retail outlets and restaurants, which will deliver a huge economic boost for the town and its hinterland."
"Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is currently finalising an application to An Bord Pleanala under Strategic Infrastructure Development to build a new €15m cruise berth facility to cater for the "next generation cruise ships".
"The development of the cruise business is a key element of the Dun Laoghaire Habour Masterplan published in 2011 and is consistent with the role set out for the Habour in the government's National Ports Policy, which sees Dun Laoghaire Harbour developing as a marine leisure and tourist destination of international calibre" Mr. Dunne said.
