The results of a recent cruise ship survey were released this week and show that an additional £930,000 is estimated to be added to Orkney's economy each year through cruise visitor spending on the islands.  Additional income also comes from harbour dues, shipping fees and crew spend.

Last year (2004) 22,916 cruise passengers arrived in Orkney.  Tourist shopping and bus tours were the largest areas of expenditure for visitors with many choosing to do organised tours of the island's archaeological sites and historic buildings. 

There are however a number of businesses that do not seem to benefit as much from this large influx of visitors, such as retailers, restaurants and cafes and entertainment facilities - this can perhaps be explained cruise companies maximising the opportunities of onboard spending.

The survey questioned 206 people from 24 different cruises between May to October 2004.  The majority of cruise visitors were retired and 85 per cent of respondents were on their first visit to Orkney.  Encouragingly over half of these visitors said they would visit again as a result of their experiences.

Orkney's new Area Tourism Partnership (ATP), who held their first meeting recently, will review the results of both this survey and the larger general Orkney visitor survey which is due out soon.  The results of both will provide important information for the ATP to use when it refines and shapes a revised Orkney tourism strategy this autumn.

The aim of the ATP is to ensure that Visit Scotland continues to provide the services which are vital to Orkney tourism.  The group is made up of four partners; Orkney Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council, VisitOrkney and the Orkney Tourism Group who represent the tourism industry.

The ATP will meet regularly to review and develop Orkney's tourism strategy and ensure the industry continues to improve and is equipped to compete successfully in the worldwide market for tourists.

The cruise visitor's survey received funding of £1,750 from both Orkney Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and funding of £3,500 from the European Union LEADER+ programme.
 
Michael Reid, development manager with Orkney Enterprise, said: "Tourism is a key sector for Orkney but the economic value of the cruise liner market had never before been properly researched.  The results of this survey will provide useful information for the development of future tourism strategies for Orkney."

Head of economic development at OIC, Shona Croy, said: "For Orkney, tourism represents a big part of the local economy accounting for around 12 per cent of employment.  The growing numbers of visitors who come to Orkney undertake a variety of activities throughout the mainland and outer islands so this kind of good market information is needed in order to understand the nature of tourism demand to ensure the long term success of this sector."

John Hinckley, acting chairman of the Orkney Tourism Group, said: "The formation of the Area Tourism Partnership is an important and welcome development which will enable Orkney tourism businesses to maintain an active role in the design of our tourism strategy.  The cruise liner visitor survey is a valuable research tool and is one example of a number of initiatives which the ATP will use to improve future strategies for our vital and expanding tourism industry."