Monday, May 5, 2014 - 15:26 by wismar
Wismar prepares for cruise season 2014
- the Hanseatic city is set to welcome a total of 21,000 cruise passengers this year -
This year the Hanseatic city of Wismar will be opening its doors to a new category of day-trippers. Fifteen ships will be calling, with about 21,000 mostly international guests who are expected to visit Wismar and its surroundings before returning home with positive impressions of the World Heritage Site. Mayor Thomas Beyer is eagerly looking forward "to being involved for the first time in this market sector with so many visitors." For Wismar it means additional day tourists who until now have not played a major role in the local economy. The visits of the cruise vessels will be advertised in the nearby seaside resorts and it is hoped that extra visitors can be attracted from there on departure days. "The people of Wismar are well known for their hospitality and are looking forward to welcoming these new guests."
Since 2012, the joint tasks of processing the cruise vessels in the "Alter Hafen" and marketing Wismar as a cruise destination worldwide have been in the hands of the Columbus Cruise Center Wismar GmbH, a subsidiary of the Wismar Port Authority. The top priority for all involved is the smooth and professional handling of passengers and vessels throughout the whole season from May till October.
To ensure that each visit to the World Heritage Site remains an unforgettable experience for every passenger and crew member, a committed association of interested parties from Wismar has put together a colourful entertainment and service programme. This includes a special city map for cruise passengers as well as musical and cultural events which will set Wismar clearly apart from the other Baltic ports. As commented by Michael Berkhahn, Wismar Senator and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the local port authority, "Passengers from Spain, North America, the United Kingdom or Germany will be greeted on the gangway with a welcome gift from the region as well as information material in various languages."
It is also hoped that the prospect of seeing these impressive ocean giants at first hand will also tempt day trippers from the nearby Baltic holiday resorts as well as the region as a whole. These guests will also be able to enjoy the short farewell performances as the ships set off in the evening hours.
The joint interest group, comprising local and regional retailers and restaurateurs as well as tourist associations, transport providers, local clubs and advertising agencies, has managed to secure the support of major sponsoring partners.
These include the local Mecklenburg brewery Lübz, Wismar-based sparkling-wine makers Hanse, soft drinks producer Güstrower Schlossquell, and the event managers Hansekontor Wismar. In cooperation with the Columbus Cruise Center Wismar GmbH, a big "Pier Party" will be held at the Alter Hafen on August 3. From 18:30 to 21:30, local guests and tourists can get a taste of the cruise feeling and enjoy live music and a colourful entertainment program as a backdrop to the departure of the MS Empress. Everybody is hoping for good weather so that visitors can quench with their thirst with a nice cool Lübzer beer or a "Cruiser" cocktail - sparkling elderberry wine served with ice and fresh mint.
Mayor Beyer went on to emphasise again how happy the people of Wismar will be "to welcome every single guest to our city, whether they come by ship, car or rail. And if we in Wismar catch the cruise bug, then it can only add to the maritime charm of our beautiful old city."
To inform residents and holidaymakers in the region about upcoming ships' arrival and departure times, posters and leaflets will be made available in tourist centres, shops, restaurants and hotels. Bus advertising will also be used to draw attention to cruise activities at the Alter Hafen. The concept created by Tom Klemens, a second-term student of design, was the winner of a competition held jointly by Wismar University and the regional bus company. Besides its regular passenger service, the bus will also operate as a shuttle for cruise passengers on arrival days.
The Hanseatic City of Wismar and its partners are looking forward to the opening of the cruise season on Sunday, May 11. This will be marked by the arrival of the MS Empress of the Spanish operator Pullmantur Cruises. We invite all citizens of Wismar to join us in offering the vessel a fitting welcome and farewell.
In addition, we are also working on a free Wismar Tourist App, which should be available from app stores in July.
Further Information:
Columbus Cruise Center Wismar GmbH
Claudia Altmann
Tel.: 03841 452 470
c.altmann@cruiseport.de
www.cruiseport.de
