*Belfast Harbour’s €106M cash injection for cruise-liners will boost tourism numbers in North only Dublin Port must act now & support industry ahead of 2025 season
Dublin Port should take immediate steps to improve its cruise ship offering in the face of strong competition from Belfast Port, which this yesterday announced a significant €106 million cash injection in passenger facilities, the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) has warned.
Ireland’s leading representative body for private bus operators, the CTTC has expressed serious concerns about the impact on Dublin of Belfast Harbour’s plan to invest €106 million to improve cruise ship port facilities, which will lure cruise ships and visiting tourists away from Dublin to Northern Ireland.
Dublin Port’s continued refusal to expand its cruise liner facilities is already costing millions in lost revenue for Dublin and the East Coast of Ireland. It’s limiting visitor numbers, retail footfall, and the overall visitor experience. Major cities across Europe are capitalising on high-spending cruise tourism, yet Dublin Port is not taking advantage of this lucrative market.
The Association says Dublin Port needs to match Belfast’s investment with improved passenger facilities and more cruise berths. Otherwise tourism businesses in the greater Dublin area will suffer even greater losses, with the negative effects being felt almost immediately. It has also called on the incoming Government to take immediate action.
The CTTC points out that Northern Ireland is quite open about the importance of cruise ship visitors, in stark contrast to Dublin Port. According to John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, cruise visitors currently contribute €30m a year to Northern Ireland’s economy, with the potential to double or even treble over the next 20 to 30 years. This investment benefits not just Belfast but also smaller regional attractions and the wider tourism industry.
William Martin, Chair of the CTTC, commented: “Dublin Port is a vital gateway for Irish Tourism, acting as a conduit to key tourist destinations across the island. Dublin’s failure to accommodate cruise tourism is directly impacting our economy and Ireland Inc. The contrast with Belfast is very disappointing.
“Cruise visitors bring enormous economic and societal benefits, not just to the capital but to the entire country. It is time for Dublin Port and policymakers to recognise this and take immediate action to prevent further losses. CTTC are calling for urgent action to support the tourism sector in Ireland. It is critical that we are not left behind.”
CTTC is calling on policymakers to urgently reassess Dublin Port’s strategy and implement a long-term plan to reverse these losses. The capital must not be left behind while Belfast reaps the benefits of forward-thinking investment in tourism infrastructure.