Fowey: More than 70 cruise ships visited the region last year

It is estimated that at least �2.2m will be spent over the next three years by passengers and crew when they stop off at ports in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

A series of seminars is being organised by Destination Southwest on the Isles of Scilly and in several other Cornish ports.

They are designed to teach businesses more about the cruise ship industry and how it benefits the local economy.

Funded by the Objective One programme, the events are open to all those firms who served the more than 21,000 cruise ship passengers who visited the South West last year.

They will find out more about the expectations of passengers both on board ship and ashore, and gain a better understanding of different nationalities.

Last year, more than 70 cruise ships visited the region - with an average of 300 passengers spending �50 each in the area.