Rosyth ferry service, Rosyth, Lothian, Scotland
SAIL INTO SCOTLAND
As
the first direct ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe
sets sail Hilary McNally looks at how visitors and Scotland's tourist
industry stand to benefit.
"Scotland
is now closer than ever before!" That's the message from VisitScotland
chairman Peter Lederer as Superfast Ferries launch the first direct
ferry link between Scotland and the rest of Europe.
In a letter to Superfast passengers he highlights the fact that
a holiday in Scotland is now only an "overnight sail"
away and that all of Scotland is within easy reach of the ferry
port at Rosyth.
It is an important point to stress. According to Patrick Laughlin,
chief executive of the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board, a major factor
preventing visitors from mainland Europe choosing Scotland as a
holiday destination is a perception of inaccessibility.
"It is a well documented fact that the main reason why people from
northern Europe in particular don't come to Scotland is the time
and expense they believe is involved in getting here," he said.
"Their aspirations to visit Scotland are actually very high but
there has been a perception that it is not easy to get to. Until
now travelling here may have taken two days off their holiday."
Hopes are now high that the launch of Superfast Ferries' service
between the Fife port of Rosyth and Zeebrugge in Belgium on May
17 will make potential visitors realise Scotland is now well within
reach.
"One of the great things about this new service is that it is symbolic,"
said Mr Laughlin. "Scotland is now accessible directly from Europe
and combined with more budget airline links it is far easier to
get to."
He is however keen to dampen down any over-enthusiastic claims the
new service could be the answer to Scotland's recent tourism difficulties.
"It is important to stress that the service is primarily a freight
service. Only about 20 percent will be passenger related and it
has to be remembered that it will also take Scots away to overseas
holidays.
"But it is a start and if it is successful then other ferry routes
may open up, particularly between Scotland and the Baltic states.
It is a nice thought that one day there may be sailings predominantly
for passengers but the main priority at the moment is to make this
service a success. There has already been an encouraging level of
interest from Europe."
So far there have been around 50,000 advance bookings for the service
which will operate all year round and although the ferries may be
primarily freight orientated the facilities on board for passengers
are impressive.
Each of the route's two ferries boasts a games room, sauna, whirlpool
and massage areas, conference rooms, business centre and Internet
facilities, restaurants, bars, card room, disco and children's playroom.
There is room for 626 passengers and more than 100 private cars
as well as 110 trucks. Although the possibility of a direct ferry
link with Europe has been talked about for almost a decade work
on the Rosyth service didn't begin in earnest until late last year
(2001).
"Rosyth has been the preferred option for the past five years but
it was only on December 21 that we got the go ahead so really there
has only been just over four months to get everything ready," said
Mr Laughlin, who explained that delays in securing a European grant
put the work on hold.
"The only part of the project not complete is the new passenger
terminal at Rosyth. There is a temporary one in place at the moment
and the new one will be ready by July."
The new service will be officially launched on May 17 by Pericles
Panagopulous, chairman of Superfast parent company Attica Enterprise
at a ceremony in Rosyth. Dignitaries from Greece where Superfast
is based and Belgium will be in attendance as will first Minister
Jack McConnel.
For more information on the new Suerfast service visit the website
at: www.superfast.com
(16/05/02)
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