26/05/2005

Belfast set for summer cruise liner boost

The award-winning Cruise Belfast Initiative, a partnership between the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) and the Port of Belfast, has confirmed that 16 cruise ships are to visit Belfast this summer.

Having recently won the ‘Area Tourism Initiative of the Year’ award at the NITB Tourism Awards, the Initiative said it was hoping to build on this success with 36,000 passengers and crew expected to bring £10-12 million into the local economy during the remainder of the year.

The shipping line behind six visits to Belfast this year, Princess Cruises, confirmed that the 109,000 tonne Golden Princess will be heading to the city this summer. Standing 61 meters high (the same height as Belfast Hilton Hotel) the Golden Princess boasts four swimming pools, a nine-hole putting course and a wedding chapel.

BVCB Chief Executive Gerry Lennon said he was delighted at the plans.

“We are delighted to be announcing such a bumper season this year with 36,000 passengers and crew expected to step ashore this summer, generating an estimated £10-12 million into the economy of Belfast and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland,” he said.

After the successful visit of the Grand Princess liner to Belfast last year, Princess Cruises have scheduled five visits by the Golden Princess and one by her sister ship, the Star Princess.

(MB/SP)

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