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Chamber President’s Response To’ Bussing Away The Tourists’

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The Cobh & Harbour Chamber very much welcome the Cruise Liner visits to Cobh.  They generate a healthy economic impetus to Cobh, Cork and the surrounding areas. There has been a lot of comment regarding the buses that leave the quay wall taking the passengers to other locations. Visiting ships earn a considerable income from these shore excursions thus it is in their interest to promote them. Approximately 42% of passengers take excursions to places like Blarney and Kinsale on half day tours. Most of them return to Cobh to spend the other half of their time here. Of the 58 % who remain on board about half of them venture ashore. This can mean hundreds of people coming into the town and visiting our pubs, the heritage centre, coffee shops and cafes and the cathedral and museum. Many of them take the Titanic Trail Walking tour. In all these activities local providers earn an income and local employment benefits. Numerous Cobh badged guides get work on the shore excursions.

The off duty crew members of the ships all come to Cobh and usually have a drink or two and buy gifts and goods from our shops when they are here. Many people from the Munster area travel to Cobh to see the liners dock and they spend money here too. Local crafts people and buskers sell their wares when the ships are in. Before the ships depart local musicians earn an income by providing entertainment on the quay wall as the ships slip and proceed.

The Cobh & Harbour Chamber are constantly involved in trying to maximise the economic benefit to the town. It was one of their former presidents, Oliver Hawes, who established Cork Cruise, a company that is solely dedicated, together with the Port of Cork, to getting the liners to visit us. The Chamber organise the Summer Swing/Fun of the Fayre events which are designed to keep passengers in Cobh.  A Chamber staff member goes on board every liner distributing tourist information about Cobh and a Discount Brochure advertising the shops etc. given free to passengers. Meetings are held with Port of Cork prior to their trade mission to the cruise industry in Miami outlining various package tours that are available on the Great Island. A newsletter template is compiled with Fáilte Ireland which gives all the relevant information to the ship well in advance of its berthing in Cobh.  In addition to this emails are sent to the ship informing them of any activities that may be taking place in the town.

As can be seen there is a great deal of economic benefit to the town. Those who are looking at the tailpipes of buses going out over the bridge should look around and embrace the majority of the passengers who stay here, together with the crew and the many visitors from around Munster who come here to admire the ships and spend their money.

Michael Martin

President Cobh and Harbour Chamber

This response was to discussion on the Cobh Edition Facebook page and the article at this link: http://cobhedition.com/?p=4546

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