THE
BRITISH Tourist Authority will launch a new cruise-based initiative this month
to help boost UK tourism.
Called
Cruise UK it will take the form of an umbrella organisation for UK cruise-based
companies and will produce a consumer directory listing them. By showcasing the
range of cruise related organisations across the country it aims to increase
confidence amongst foreign cruise lines to build business in Britain.
BTA
chief executive Jeff Hamblin said: “The cruise industry is a market that
offers increasing opportunities for inbound tourism to Britain. These sort of
initiatives are important at this time, as much of the country suffers from the
severe impact of the foot and mouth outbreak and the US terrorist
attacks.”
The BTA has also set up a Cruise UK Advisory Board to
help develop a series of initiatives to boost UK cruising. Advisory Board
chairman Terry Toohey said: “Cruise UK offers benefits for tourism
organisations in Britain who will be able to join forces and inform an
international market about what they have to offer.”