Inverclyde hails benefits of visiting cruise ship passengers

As the 2024 cruise ship season comes to a close, the Telegraph spoke with local business owners and community figures and found widespread backing for cruise ships.

A boost in passing trade, and local - and regional - tourism were all hailed and it was further suggested there’s scope to improve on potential benefits to Inverclyde.

Inverclyde North Councillor Elizabeth Robertson is a big supporter and believes they bring nothing but positive economic benefits.

(Image: George Munro) The SNP member added: "Local people are really pulling out all the stops to make sure that what is on offer to our visitors is getting better and better all the time.

"Increasing numbers are choosing to spend their time and money in Inverclyde and that is due to the hard work that is being put in.

"When people do stay they say they absolutely love it.

"The signage has been improved so that visitors know where they are going.

"There are open top bus tours and loads of ideas that are being worked on.

"We are also making improvements to the town centre to make it more attractive through the levelling up funding."

(Image: George Munro) James Haggart, who runs Reverence Music in the Oak Mall, is getting plenty of businesses from the cruise ship passengers.

Most are Americans but he is also gets customers from Malaysia and Japan as well as South Africans and Australians.

They buy anything from CDs and traditional vinyl records to t-shirts and guitar strings.

One passenger recently bought a guitar.

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James said: "There is no question that both passengers and crew are coming into Greenock and it is making a tangible difference.

"The cruise ship visitors can only be a good thing even if it is more people walking about in the town centre and making it look busier.

"Most however will come into the shops and spend money on souvenirs, presents, clothes or to stock up on things like toiletries.

"I think the authorities are doing their best to make the town more attractive to visitors."

David Shaw's Waterfront Cinema in Greenock is next door to the new £20million cruise terminal and visitor centre.

He said: "The new terminal has been excellent and has brought a lot more people to the immediate area, particularly crew members.

"We have them into watch the movies and to buy items from our kiosk.

"In March when the ship stayed overnight the crew booked one of our halls.

"There was around 50 of them at 10pm to watch a screening of Bad Boys."

(Image: George Munro) David added: "I know that a lot of passengers are shipped away on buses and trains to the major cities but that is always going to happen with a cruise.

"But there a lot of attractions here in Greenock and the Americans also like visiting local cemeteries.

"I have noticed a big difference in the town generally when the ships are in."

(Image: George Munro) Gavin McDonagh, former President of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, believes cruise ships benefit not just Inverclyde, but the country as a whole.

The Kip Marina boss added: "I am happy with the cruise ships and happy to see them coming to Inverclyde.

"You also need to think beyond your local area and how it benefits the country as a whole.

"We need to bring people to Scotland to spend money not just Greenock."

Property expert Andrew Bowman would like to see a more united approach to attracting passengers.

(Image: George Munro) Andrew, a director of Gourock based Bowman Rebecchi, added: "It feels that businesses are acting on their own and everything is being done piecemeal.

"We need to get more tourist savvy. At the moment we are watching the boats coming in and out but not capitalising on that.

"We have to realise passengers are only here for a few hours and want to make the most of their time.

"We need to sell them online packages while they are on the ships and not just wait for them to turn up at the terminal."

Andrew believes that local Scottish themed events with guided tours, meals and souvenirs, could generate between £200-£300 per passenger.

(Image: John McCue) Kenny Blair is Managing Director of Buzzworks, which owns Scotts restaurant. The eatery opened last year at the redeveloped ocean terminal.

He is in no doubt of the economic benefits of the cruise ships.

Kenny said: "We warmly welcome any initiative that enhances the local economy, and cruise tourism undoubtedly plays a significant role in this growth.

"The new visitor centre is a remarkable addition to Inverclyde, offering not only a world-class facility for passengers but also increasing the appeal of the area to more of these impressive vessels.

"We’re proud to contribute to the continued development of Greenock."

A key role is also played by volunteers from the Inverclyde Tourist Group.

They meet and greet passengers with information about Inverclyde when they step off the ships.

One guide, Cecile Fleming, said: "We try and persuade them to remain in the Greenock and Inverclyde area for the duration of their stay."

A Peel Ports spokesperson added: “We hear first-hand how the arrival of so many visitors and crew is a real boost to many local businesses in Inverclyde, as well as companies and tourist attractions across Central Scotland.

“With strong bookings already being made for 2025, we want to grow our cruise number further in the months and years ahead, which we believe will bring further benefits for Inverclyde.”