8 March 2016
International cruise visitors and operators will be invited to step into a world of wonder, wine and white cliffs at this month’s Seatrade Cruise Global exhibition.
The Visit Kent Cruise Partnership will be at the Florida exhibition from 14th to 17th March showcase both the Port of Dover and The Garden of England to some of the biggest names in the cruise industry. The partnership will be at Seatrade stand 1521, joining Cruise Britain to showcase the best of the UK’s cruise offer.
Dover is the UK’s second busiest cruise port and has has become the destination of choice for 200,000 passengers and more than 20 world-leading cruise lines each year.
Sinead Hanna of Visit Kent said: “No other UK cruise port can offer as dramatic a welcome as the White Cliffs of Dover, and our cruise partnership is dedicated to ensuring both passengers and operators experience the very best that Kent has to offer when they visit us.
“The Port of Dover offers operators a fast turnaround, excellent transport connections and state-of-the-art facilities, with some of Europe’s most iconic attractions and breath-taking scenery on its doorstep.“
Dover’s 24hr port operation has the capacity to take ships up to 320m, utilising two purpose-built terminals and three berths.
The White Cliffs of Dover offer a gobsmacking visual welcome to ships, and breath-taking clifftop walks just 10mins from the cruise terminal. Dover Castle (star of many feature films) allows visitors to delve into centuries of history and enjoy thrilling immersive experiences within its walls and famous wartime tunnels, while the nearby gardens of Walmer Castle offer a scented, scenic retreat.
Excursions and VIP tours of Canterbury Cathedral are also possible, giving passengers the chance to explore the staggering UNESCO World Heritage Site and to visit the tombs of King Henry IV, The Black Prince and the site where Thomas Beckett was murdered.
Cruise visitors can also enjoy regal treatment at Leeds Castle near Maidstone, known as the ‘loveliest castle in the world’, which offers year round entertainment, from falconry displays and flower shows to romantic river trips and open air concerts.
Further afield, Kent’s ‘wine country’ is prime for exploration with award-winning vineyards offering bespoke tours and tutored tastings of some of the finest sparkling wine in Europe.
Ms Hanna added: “Seeing really is believing in Kent, and we guarantee that if you haven’t visited us before, you will be astounded by what Kent has to offer.”
Visit Kent Cruise Partnership members include the Port of Dover, Visit Kent, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, English Heritage, Dover District Council, The Kings Ferry Travel Group.
For information about Visit Kent Cruise Partnership call +44 (0)1227 862789 or email cruise@visitkent.co.uk, or visit Seatrade stand 1521 to meet the team.
For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk
ENDS
For further media information on Visit Kent, please contact PR Manager Sinead Hanna at Sinead.Hanna@visitkent.co.uk or call 01227 812914. For images of Kent, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/visitkent/
Notes to Editors
About Visit Kent
Visit Kent Ltd is the Destination Management Organisation for Kent (the Garden of England), championing the county’s £3.2 billion tourism industry and supporting more than 64,000 jobs.
It is recognised as one of the country’s leading DMOs, targeting UK and overseas markets to raise Kent’s profile as a premier destination, improving quality and skills within the industry, and growing investment in tourism. Visit Kent is a public/private sector partnership supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, district and borough councils, and the leading sector tourism businesses in Kent.
For further information visit www.visitkent.co.uk (consumer) or www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk (business), or tweet @visitkent.