Businesses urged to cash in on cruises

BUSINESSES in Tayside have been urged to ensure they can cash in on the rising number of cruise ships calling at Dundee’s port.

The city welcomed more than a dozen vessels in 2017 and more are expected to arrive this year.

Two ships are due to arrive on July 21 and 22, the closing weekend of the Open golf championship at Carnoustie.

Representatives from about 60 companies attended a special event at Discovery Point to learn about the impact cruises can have on their businesses.

More than 500 passengers disembark when a liner calls into port and Peter Wilson, of Cruise Forth, told delegates that as well as getting additional business from passengers on the day they visit Dundee, they can also attract online customers.

Cruise Forth, an organisation that uses volunteers to welcome cruise ships arriving at Rosyth, discovered that many passengers were unaware of nearby tourist attractions or other places of interest.

Mr Wilson said: “When a cruise ship arrives in Dundee it brings 600 people who are there for the day, while other passengers board.

“Businesses need to be cruise-ready for those people.”

He said it was not just towns and cities with ports that can benefit from cruises.

Passengers regularly take bus trips to nearby places of interest, such as St Andrews.

Mr Wilson added: “If businesses are ready, volunteers can give out flyers that attract business.

“We were able to give out flyers for the Golf Shop of St Andrews.

“They found they did not just get business on the day but later had customers ordering online.”