Aalborg inaugurates welcome centre with Viking call

Aalborg inaugurated a new welcome centre on May 20 when Viking Ocean Cruises’ first ship, Viking Star, called for the first time.

Located at the end of the cruise gangway, it connects the seaside and landside as passengers disembark after sailing on the Limfjord. Here they will be welcomed by the information staff who are ready to answer questions. The new information centre is stocked with a variety of tourist brochures and maps. A souvenir shop offers a selected number of local specialties including Aalborg’s fine liquor, locally-brewed beer and miniature Viking replicas reminiscent of the city’s history.

This year Aalborg will set a new record with 15 calls and almost 15,000 passengers. “We are looking forward to greeting the many cruise guests from our new welcome centre,” said Lars Bech, cruise manager VisitAalborg. “In Aalborg we always strive to make guests feel welcome and create even better experiences. Hopefully this new welcome area will contribute to creating even better guest satisfaction.”

The vision was to create a welcome area that is aesthetically pleasing as well as practical. As a special feature the centre can be moved and removed from the quay as required. A new, modern and aesthetically-pleasing fence, which meets the ISPS standards, has also been built. A large sail has been raised above the welcome centre providing shelter from the sun and the wind coming off the fjord.

Bech added: “Since Aalborg is becoming widely known as the happy hotdog port, there is of course room for guests to enjoy one of these famous Danish treats for free.”

In addition the North Danish Art Museum, Kunsten, will be reopened in November 2015 following a E20m refurbishment programme. The building made famous by Finnish architect, Alvor Aalto, was built in 1971 for less than E3,000.