The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Focus on cruising economy
Seminar: Firms invited to explore how to capitalise on buoyant industry
Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) will host a cruising workshop next month for the benefit of firms throughout the north.
The information session is for companies in the Highlands interested in finding out how working with the cruise ship sector could boost their business.
It will take place at the Centre for Health Science, Inverness, on Thursday February 16.
The workshop is being run in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with the support of Inverness Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and VisitScotland.
It has been designed for businesses running tourist and visitor attractions in the Highlands, including retailers, golf courses, distilleries and restaurants.
Attendees will be introduced to the ground-handling firms which represent the major cruise liners which visit Invergordon, and they will also be able to take part in a question and answer session.
In addition, participants will find out how to design exciting excursion itineraries tailored to the various cruise lines.
Cromarty Firth welcomed more cruise passengers than any other Scottish port in 2016.
PCF chief executive Bob Buskie said: “We are excited to be able to organise this event and help support Highland businesses in this way.
“Each year, the cruise industry through the port in Invergordon brings about £10million to the Highland economy. We want to help local organisations take full advantage of this.”
HIE Inner Moray Firth area manager James Gibbs said: “The cruise sector has seen growth year-on-year and is important to our region’s economy, bringing in visitors from all over the world.
“We are delighted to support this initiative from the Port of Cromarty Firth to host this seminar, which will highlight how our local businesses can benefit.”
ICC chief executive Stewart Nicol said: “This workshop is a great opportunity for Highland businesses to maximise commercial prospects for their business from the growing number of cruise ships visiting the Port of Cromarty Firth.”