Cruise ships could fill a gap in market

David Keates, new managing director of the Port of Tyne Authority, wants to see the golden era of classic cruises return to north east England.

It could see the region competing with popular southern ports like Essex and Harwich.

And it is thought such a move could boost the local economy by as much as �3.5m per year.

Benefits to region

Mr Keates said it was a growing industry and the Tyne could fill a gap in the North.

He said: "The Tyne is the most picturesque entrance on the east coast.

"We've got Alnwick, Bamburgh, shopping in Newcastle and Hadrian's Wall. These are fabulous things for people to come and see."

"I'm very confident that, for the benefit of the region, we can start to bring cruise ships in here in a few years time.

"It's worth an awful lot in terms of money and in terms of profile for the region."

Aiming high

It is expected that those coming to the Tyne would include holidaymakers travelling around the British Isles on day trips.

The port is confident it could handle the biggest cruise ships, some of which carry more than 1,000 passengers.

As Newcastle bids for European Capital of Culture, up to100 cruise ships a year could be docking on the Tyne.

Mr. Keates said: "That's shooting very high and we certainly won't get that straight away but it's something to aspire to."