At Seatrade Europe in Hamburg this week, Cruise Baltic has taken the opportunity to announce news of Denmark’s Port of Skagen, joining the network, bringing the total cruise destinations to 28.
Geographically, the Port of Skagen is the northernmost cruise port of Denmark, located where the waters of the North Sea and the Kattegat meet. At Grenen, the headland of the Skagen Odde spit, visitors can actually stand with one foot in the Baltic and one in the North Sea.
The decision to join Cruise Baltic comes at a time when a report conducted by Bermello Ajamil & Partners has indicated tremendous potential for future cruise business to Skagen; while Summer 2013 saw the news announced that by Spring 2015 the port facilities will be expanded in order to attract more cruise ships, with a new 450-metre long cruise berth and extending an existing berth from 170 metres to 200.
Says Willy Bent Hansen, Managing Director, Port of Skagen: “This is therefore a significant strategy for us to partner with leading association Cruise Baltic at this time, looking to grow our cruise business. I believe it will also prove invaluable in terms of knowledge sharing with other destinations and provide us with a platform for discussing current and future issues which face us as a region.”
In response Cruise Baltic Director, Bo Larsen commented: “We are proud to include such an attractive destination in our portfolio; and with its plans for development over the next 18 months, believe that without doubt the Port of Skagen will add value to the overall cruise product in the Baltic Sea Region.”
The Port of Skagen is Denmark’s leading fishing harbour and yet retains a charming, elegant atmosphere. The port area also features a remarkable marina with enchanting open-air fish restaurants; and the nearby market town with its boutiques, museums and art galleries contributes to attracting international cruise line passengers and tourists to the area, particularly in the Summer months. Skagen Museum, founded in 1908 by a group of local painters houses hundreds of paintings, drawings and sculptures and is situated in a beautiful garden close to Brøndum’s Hotel, where many of the artists stayed and gathered.
Skagen is renowned for experiencing annually the highest number of sunshine hours in Denmark – ideal for travelling out of town to see the Skagen Odde Nature Centre on Bøjlevejen, which is devoted to the effects of sand, water, wind and light; or Grenen, also rich in bird life and ideal for walks along the sandy beaches.
FiskerForum.com
