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Artemis cruises into Greencastle
17.08.10
GREENCASTLE hosted
1,500 cruise passengers on Friday when the
gargantuan P&O linter 'Artemis' sailed into port.
Named after the ancient Greek goddess, the ship had
set sail from Southampton and included Norway and
Iceland in its itinerary before calling to the sunny
North West.
Visitors were treated to VIP hospitality as they
reached the shore and were welcomed by Irish Dancing
performances from the McKinney Academy of Dance.
Passengers were also greeted by the Derry Visitor &
Convention Bureau tourist information staff who were
on hand to provide literature, maps and information
about the surrounding areas.
Passengers also availed of scheduled tours to the
Giant’s Causeway, around the Inishowen Peninsula and
the Walled City of Derry. |
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For those who preferred
to take in the sights at their own leisurely pace,
complimentary shuttle buses were on offer throughout
the day to transport visitors to Derry where they
could explore what the city has to offer.
Aoife Thomas of the Derry Visitor & Convention
Bureau explained: “Despite the current economic
downturn, the cruise industry is the fastest growing
sector in the tourism industry and we welcome the
positive financial impact it has on the region,
benefiting local businesses such as tour guides,
attractions, cafes, retailers and coach companies.
Andy Sides of the Loughs Agency, said the success of
the recent visit highlighted the "potential for
growth of the cruise ship tourism product on the
Foyle".
Derry has recently received the accolade of being
named the first UK City of Culture for 2013 and it
is hoped this title will raise the profile of the
city and assist in attracting more cruise ships to
visit the area in the future.
The Cruise North West initiative is a partnership
between Derry City Council, Londonderry Port and
Harbour Commissioners, the Loughs Agency and Derry
Visitor and Convention Bureau.
To view more photos and video
click here. |
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