Plymouth is hoping to welcome an influx of French tourists to the city this year through a new initiative with cross-channel operator Brittany Ferries. The partnership, which is being financed by VisitBritain’s GREAT Gateway Innovation Fund, will promote the benefits of sailing to Britain’s Ocean City.
The joint campaign is focusing on North West France - from Brittany, Normandy and the Loire regions across to Paris - and is hoping to target the post-Covid-19, short-break travel market.
Brittany Ferries, which has its UK headquarters in Plymouth, sails from Roscoff to Plymouth once or twice a day from March to November. Sailings take around six hours by day and nine hours by night.
Amanda Lumley, Destination Plymouth’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative which is such a good fit for our own ethos as a sustainable destination offering unrivalled coastal and countryside locations and activities, value for money and a plethora of other travel options from here onwards.
“We are known as Britain’s Ocean City and have enjoyed a very proud maritime history of welcoming visitors by sea for centuries, so we are eager to see many more make that short journey across the Channel to explore all the opportunities Plymouth has to offer. This partnership is an excellent example of two key organisations working together to make that happen. ”
VisitBritain chief executive Patricia Yates said the organisation's innovation fund encouraged local destinations to forge partnerships within the industry and boost marketing activity.
"It also encourages visitors to broaden their travel itineraries, boosting inbound visits across more of the year and across more of Britain, supporting local businesses, destinations and economies," she explained.
Brittany Ferries currently links 12 ports in France, the UK, Spain and Ireland.
"We never forget that Plymouth was our very first destination port 50 years ago when French farmers established a fledgling ferry route from Brittany to Devon,” added Julian Patchett, partnerships manager of Brittany Ferries.
“Their vision wasn’t just to transport cargo and holidaymakers – they wanted above all to enrich the regions served by Brittany Ferries ships by promoting trade and tourism links. Our mission remains the same to this day."
Last March, Brittany Ferries returned all its ships to service after two years of Covid disruption.
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