'New dawn for tourism in the North East of Scotland' - South Harbour expansion welcomes first cruise ship
Up to 31,000 guests could dock in Aberdeen this summer
Last updated 29th Jan 2024
The £400 million Aberdeen South Harbour expansion is welcoming its first cruise ship.
The AIDAaura is the longest vessel to visit the port to date and 202m in length.
Arriving from Hamburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, the ship has a capacity of more than 1,200.
A Scottish welcome
Upon arrival, the ship was greeted by a 50-strong pipe band and highland dancers, as well as volunteers from Visit Aberdeenshire.
Guests were then offered free shuttle buses to various parts of the region.
Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive, Port of Aberdeen, said: "It is fantastic to see the first cruise call arrive at South Harbour today, which marks a new dawn for tourism in the North East of Scotland.
"While the tourism industry is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, we’re very encouraged with the number of calls to the port secured for this year and next.
"Port of Aberdeen is a gateway to the amazing attractions of North East Scotland. We look forward to growing our work with the international cruise industry in the coming years, as tens of thousands guests experience the incredible scenery and culture that the region has to offer."
Something for everyone
Cruisers could boost the local economy by up to £4.2 million.
"Disembarking guests - who will be met by our Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteers – will have a wide range of experiences to enjoy during their time on our shores, planting the seed forfuture travel back to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for a longer stay", said Chris Hoy, CEO of VisitAberdeenshire.
Adding to that, Chief Executive of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Russell Borthwick, said: "Today is a big day for the region and is just the beginning, bringing millions of pounds of spend and economic benefit to the businesses of the North East, Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s favourite place on earth.
"With stunning coastline, countryside, castles, world class golf courses and a city with great green spaces, museums, restaurants and other places of interest, there’s something for everyone. Hopefully, they’ll see enough on their short trip to whet the appetite for more."