Cruise ship welcome boosts tourism in Dorset
7 August 2008
Local tourism has been boosted this week with a visit by the first call of German cruise ship, MS Deutschland to Portland Port. The “warmest of welcomes” to passengers saw Town Crier, Alistair Chisholm and Weymouth and Portland Mayor, Cllr. Tim Munro, heartily greet all passengers, before those choosing to explore locally took a courtesy shuttle bus into the town escorted by German speaking guides.
Photo: from left - Town Crier Alistair Chisholm, volunteer Rixa Meyer, Weymouth and Portland Mayor Cllr Ian Munro, volunteer Jo Atwell, RLN SW business advisor Philada Rogers
This “warmest of welcomes” for cruise ship passengers to Portland is being developed jointly by the Regional Language Network South West (RLN SW) and Portland Port. A call for fluent German speaking volunteers by RLN SW has led to a network being set up to cater for visits by cruise ships and overseas visitors attending international events in Weymouth and Portland.
The cruise ship visit follows a recent half day’s briefing for ten German speakers on providing the “warmest of welcomes” for cruise ships passengers. Hosted by Portland Port and organised by RLN SW, the event included a tour of the port facilities and a cruise ship in berth, and tips on language and cultural issues associated with cruise tour excursions.
Philada Rogers, RLN SW business advisor said: “The visit by MS Deutschland has been a great opportunity to put our ideas into action. By working with Portland Port in this way, we ensure that cruise ship visitors to the area experience a really warm welcome and can easily find out in their own language what there is to see and do locally.”
The visit by MS Deutschland is the first of two calls this month bringing over 1,000 cruise ship passengers to Dorset. Anne Alcock, vessel services manager is involved with all 6 cruise ship visits to Portland Port in 2008.
“Working with the Regional Language Network South West is helping us to offer the very best possible customer ground handling service for our cruise ship passengers and also ensures local tourism benefits from the visit.”
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