PORT OF SWANSEA WELCOMES CRUISE SHIP VAN GOGH
The cruise ship Van Gogh paid its first visit to Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Swansea yesterday, Sunday, 15 October 2006, when it berthed alongside the port’s King’s Dock.
The vessel arrived at the port at 11 o clock yesterday morning. Over 475 passengers embarked the vessel before it departed on a sold-out, nine-day cruise to Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. The 15,000-tonne, 156-m long vessel – owned and operated by Travelscope – features a fitness centre, cinema and nightclub among its attractions.
To celebrate the arrival of m.v. Van Gogh, Travelscope hosted a reception at the Port of Swansea and aboard the vessel. John Fitzgerald, Port Director for ABP’s South Wales Ports, joined staff from Travelscope and Swansea Council at the reception and luncheon to meet passengers and senior representatives from the travel-agent industry, local media and a delegation from Age Concern Swansea.
ABP South Wales actively works with ‘Visit Wales’ and Swansea Council to promote and publicise the port as a cruise port. For Van Gogh’s visit, the 30-piece Loughor Town band played for passengers as they boarded the ship, while Swansea Council representatives were on hand to promote the city’s various tourist attractions and provide information to the passengers.
John Fitzgerald said:
“ABP is absolutely delighted to welcome Van Gogh to the Port of Swansea, especially as it reinforces ABP’s efforts to promote Cardiff and Swansea as cruise ports. Swansea’s passenger-handling facilities and excellent road and rail links make it an ideal maritime gateway for the region, and we are keen to increase the number of cruise visits to the port in the future.”
He added:
“I would like to thank all those involved in making Van Gogh’s visit a success, especially our staff at the Port of Swansea and the management and staff of Swansea Container Terminals Ltd, who worked extremely hard to encourage the call and provided baggage-handling and porterage requirements to the vessel. ABP looks forward to working closely with Travelscope and other cruise operators and agencies in the future, to develop the potential for cruise business through our port.”
Andrew Davis, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation & Networks, and Welsh Assembly Member for Swansea West, explained the economic implications of Van Gogh’s visit:
“Van Gogh’s visit to ABP’s Port of Swansea highlights the success of ‘Cruise Wales’ – a partnership between ‘Visit Wales’ and a number of port, tourism and Government partners – to promote Wales’ cruise ports. In total, 16 cruise vessels will visit Wales during 2006, providing opportunities for local businesses in the retail and tourism sectors and stevedoring companies, which will ultimately benefit the Welsh economy.”
Councillor Gerald Clement, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture & Tourism, said:
"To be chosen as one of the first Welsh ports in Travelscope's portfolio is very exciting news for Swansea and highlights our convenient location and the versatility of our port facilities. We have welcomed day visitors from a number of cruise ships over the past few years, and our new status as a departure point is sure to enhance the city's reputation for facilitating cruise vessels. "
Richard Ford, Managing Director for Travelscope Holidays, said:
“Travelscope is glad to have chosen ABP’s Port of Swansea to handle Van Gogh’s turnaround cruise call. Our cruise passengers’ first impressions of Travelscope are formed at the port, and we are extremely satisfied with the port’s passenger-handling facilities and the services provided by ABP. We look forward to returning to Swansea in September next year.” |
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