Cruise tourism contributes more than £5 million to the region’s economy, according to a recent report commissioned by regional development agency One North East. The economic impact study showed that this figure had increased from £3.9m in 2006 and means that cruise tourism is well on its way to hitting a target of being worth £6.5m by 2015.

The report also showed that the Port of Tyne had received a total of 73,241 cruise tourists between 2006 and 2008, making it one of the fastest growing ports in Europe. The average spend per passenger is estimated at £100, an increase from £60 per passenger when the last report was conducted in 2004.

Last year a total of 29 cruise ships came to the region either on transit or turnaround calls which create 84 direct jobs for transit calls and 59 jobs for turnaround calls. This year 23 ships are already confirmed, one of the first three calls included the Eurodam, the largest vessel in the HollandAmerica Line fleet, where more than 30 coaches took passengers across the region on a number of shore excursions.

A survey of passengers and crew at the Port of Tyne showed that there were high levels of satisfaction, with the best scores given for the friendliness of residents and courtesy of local employees. The shore side welcomes and excursions were also highly rated.

The aim of the report was to evaluate a three-year cruise tourism action plan which was led by One North East Tourism in partnership with the Port of Tyne and which came to an end in 2008. The findings of this report will now help to formulate a new action plan for the sector going forward.

As part of this plan a “Welcome Team” training programmes has been delivered to help improve the skills and knowledge of those greeting passengers coming into the region including, tourist information centre staff, volunteers and tourism officers.

Nine of the region’s Green Badge Guides received specialised cruise tourism training to enable them to undertake the NewcastleGateshead shore excursions offered to passengers.

Stacy Hall, Director of Communications & Tourism at One North East, said: “One NorthEast Tourism has been working closely with the Port of Tyne and major investment has taken place to ensure North East England is firmly on the cruise map.

“Cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global tourism industry, with North East England emerging as a new and exciting destination. The region has a lot to offer cruise passengers from our wealth of history and heritage to the miles of beautiful coastline and countryside.

“The investment in staff training both at the port and at attractions across the region, means passengers will undoubtedly have a memorable visit to the region".

To help further promote the North East as a cruise destination One North East and Port of Tyne exhibited together at this year’s Seatrade Convention in Miami, the world’s largest and most important cruise trade event in March.

The convention is attended by more 10,000 key decision makers in the cruise industry from around the world. Representatives from the region met with a number of cruise companies with confirmed bookings coming from Silversea, Princess Cruises and Page & Moy.

A new cruise brochure was launched at the event, which gives tour planners all the information they need to organise their next trip from itinerary ideas to information about the port.

Fergus Poole, Port of Tyne’s Cruise and International Passenger Terminal Manager said: “The economic impact study demonstrates the continued growth of the cruise industry and its benefits for the whole of the region.

“Bookings for this year are doing well and we already have 24 ships confirmed for 2010, and with continued marketing of the region at high profile events, such as Seatrade, we will maintain the standing of the port with the cruise community.”