Positive Impact of Dover's Cruise Business On The Local Economy

Dover's cruise business brought nearly £20 million into the local economy and supported over 200 jobs in 2006, a study has concluded.

Dover Harbour Board and its Kent Tourism partners commissioned an East Kent Cruise Economic Impact Study to determine the benefits of the port's twin cruise terminals in 2006. During the year the terminals received a record 136 ship calls and processed a record 215,000 passengers.

The study, by Roger Tym and Partners, assessed the gross value impact of these cruise ship visits and measured it through the income/revenue from goods which were consumed as part of the cruise activities. The total value in 2006 was assessed to be £19.6 million supporting some 226 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs.

The study concluded: "The largest impact is through direct revenue to the operations at the Port of Dover which supports some 102 FTE jobs. The most revenue into East Kent is generated by the induced spending of passengers and crew, supporting 64 FTE jobs in the local economy."

The Cruise Connections partnership comprising Dover Harbour Board and suppliers to the Dover cruise business have put in place a strategy to optimise the benefits to the local economy. These efforts include the provision of a shuttle bus to transport passengers and crew into Dover town and the sale of Kent produce at the cruise terminals.

Kate O'Hara, Head of Commercial and Marketing, Port of Dover, said there were comments made from time to time that the cruise business does not benefit the local economy to any great extent. "This study shows just how important it is," she added.