Get the Irish on board the Swansea to Cork ferry
A SWANSEA tourism consultant has urged the city to make the most of the up-and-running Swansea to Cork ferry, citing Swansea City and the Ffos Las racecourse as prime attractions for the Irish.
Terry Stevens welcomed the return of the ferry service, but called on the tourism industry in South West Wales to match the expertise of their Irish counterparts in luring visitors to the area.
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Swansea-Cork ferry passengers John Wilson, John Glover, Gilbert Miles, Ron Bendall and Trevor Barson all set to board the MV Julia. GM100310E-001
The ferry, the MV Julia, finally set sail from Swansea on Wednesday night, serenely heading across the bay and past Mumbles lighthouse.
Dr Stevens, of Stevens and Associates, said: "We must have that connection. Now we have got it, we have got to maximise the benefits."
Promoting Swansea as a destination for the Irish was crucial, said Dr Stevens.
"Tourism businesses have got to organise interesting packages. For example, the Irish are a very big market for horse racing, so where are the hotel packages for Ffos Las (near Llanelli)?
"We have the nearest Championship football club for half of Ireland, but there aren't any packages."
Dr Stevens said the Irish were way ahead of the Welsh when it came to tourism. "They think internationally, and they 'do' internationally — we don't," he said.
Politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea have welcomed the return of the ferry service, which ceased running in 2006.
Its resurrection was largely down to the West Cork Co-operative, a business consortium that raised £2.5million towards the £6.9million ship. Some Welsh groups also contributed.
Assembly Government deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said it fully supported the venture.
"Our tourism arm, Visit Wales, continually promotes Wales and we look forward to the flow of tourists into the country," he said.
Fastnet Line chief executive officer Tom Barrett said bookings were encouraging.
This week, ferry rivals Irish Ferries and airline Aer Lingus launched a big advertising campaign promoting their best deals.
MV Julia passenger Gilbert Miles, of Pontarddulais, arrived safely in Cork yesterday.
He had previously been critical of the operator's lack of communication while maritime inspectors continued their surveys of the vessel, whose maiden voyage was meant to be on March 1.
His wife Rose said: "He said it was a lovely sailing, although the beers were £4 a pint!"
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
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4 Comments
by Stu, Swansea
Saturday, March 13 2010, 1:55PM
“The Evening Post are going to ruin this ferry. Ive not read one positive article about it yet.
£4 a pint SO WHAT !!! Have you seen the prices at Airports.
I hope this ferry does well.”
by anon, anon
Saturday, March 13 2010, 1:01PM
“please support this ferry link instead of finding faults.
it's £3.50 a pint in oceana”
by Georgina, Llanelli
Saturday, March 13 2010, 12:37PM
“I would like to inform you that the Best Western Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli does offer complete race day packages including transport to and from the races. Please visit the hotel website for more information.”
by PHIL, West Cross
Friday, March 12 2010, 11:04PM
“If this venture is to sucede then they need to take a serious look at their pricing. There are cheaper ways to get to Ireland and from the above article £4 a pint is extortionate considering they should be duty free.
Greed is getting in the way of common sense and if this continues then it wont be long before the ferry goes the way of the last one.”