PORT OF CORK SCHOOLS INITIATIVE INVITES PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO EXPLORE TOURISM WITHIN CORK HARBOUR

PORT OF CORK SCHOOLS INITIATIVE INVITES PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO EXPLORE TOURISM WITHIN CORK HARBOUR

Calling all 5th Class Teachers – Win a Free Boat Trip around Cork Harbour for your class

The Port of Cork has launched their Primary Schools Initiative for 2016 and is encouraging all 5th class primary school teachers to get their class involved. This year’s theme ‘A Day in the Life of a Cruise Passenger Visiting Cork Harbour’ is aimed at encouraging school children to explore the tourism aspect of Cork harbour and all the wonderful visitor attractions to see and enjoy in Cork City and County.

Tourism plays a large part in the Port of Cork’s business, with up to 60 cruise liners visiting the harbour each year and an annual passenger ferry route from Cork to Roscoff operating. Over 100,000 cruise passengers and crew visit the region during the summer months, bringing a very welcome economic boost to the region.

All 5th classes who take part in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative will be treated to a boat trip around Cork harbour, compliments of the Port of Cork and each class will also receive a certificate of participation. The overall ‘best project’ will receive a tour on board one of the many luxurious cruise liners visiting Cork during the summer of 2016. In addition to this, an award will also be given for ‘best artwork piece’.

Speaking about the 2016 theme, Port of Cork Chief Executive Mr Brendan Keating said: “Tourism plays such a vital role in our harbour and surrounding area, and it’s very important that children understand the economic importance of the tourism industry as well as Cork’s historic maritime links. Cork Harbour has great tourism potential and with the children’s imaginations, we hope that they will explore all the attractions and things to do for visitors, while also being creative and perhaps thinking up some new ideas for visitors.’

Mr Keating continued; ‘Last year we had over 30 schools participating and we hope this year we will have similar numbers or more. It’s a wonderful initiative where children get to have fun and learn at the same time.”

Projects are to be presented in artwork format using painting and/or models. All submitted projects will go on public display in the Cobh Maritime Development building before the winner is announced in April 2016. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 16th March 2016.

If you would like more information on the Port of Cork Schools Initiative or would like to register your school, please contact Sara Mackeown, Port of Cork, email smackeown@portofcork.ie or call 021 4625375. Information is also available at www.portofcork.ie