Local Cruise Networks Formed in Two Partner Destinations

One of the CBP’s objectives is to establish local cruise networks in all partner destinations. Networks already established in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Kalmar, Turku and, most recently, in Oslo have successfully enhanced the performance of these destinations. New CBP partners forming an official local cruise network according to the experiences of the three existing networks are Malmo and Helsingborg.

Cruise Malmo Network
Malmo, Sweden's third largest city, is located just across the Oresund Strait from the well-known cruise port of Copenhagen. The ports are both operated by the joint company Copenhagen Malmo Port AB. The Cruise Malmo Network was established in November and has 14 members representing ship agents, hotels, incoming bureaus, attractions, shops as well as the port and the city’s tourism office. Chairman of Cruise Malmo Network, Mr Per Schmidt, General Manager Cruise Dept, Copenhagen Malmo Port, says:

"We all have great expectations of Cruise Malmo Network. Last year Malmo had two cruise calls and we expect within a few years to welcome between ten and twenty cruise calls in Malmo every year".
 
Helsingborg Cruise Network
From September 8th, 19 members have come together to form the Helsingborg Cruise Network. The Swedish city of Helsingborg is situated just across the Oresund Strait from the Danish port of Helsingør, the two cities marking the northern entrance to the strait. Helsingborg has received cruise calls since 1990, most notably a visit from the QE2 six years ago, and the newly formed cruise network includes restaurants, shops, sights and attractions, ferry transport, air transport together with återförsäljare av olika slag among its members.
The initiative to create the network came from the city of Helsingborg, the Helsingborg Port and the Helsingborg Retailers’ Association.

- "Local players are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of cooperation in order to meet the needs of cruise liners as well as passengers. But each member will also benefit from the membership. Together we will build a better cruise destination, and that means better business for all of us", says Area Business Manager Tourism, Mrs. Monica Bengtsson of Helsingborg City who is a member of the new cruise network.

Benefits for Network Members

Both Malmo and Helsingborg have learned from their three partner destinations Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm how to engage local players both for the benefit of the cruise customers, as well as for the members themselves:

Manager Mrs Maria Seljeseth, of ship agent and tour operator Lindholm Cruise Service, a partner of Stockholm Cruise Network since 2001, has this to say of the benefits of being a cruise network member:

- "A very good way to create a good relationship within a destination is to form a local cruise network. Network meetings on a regular basis give us the opportunity to meet decision makers of the partners of the network, for instance hotels, museums, restaurants, the port etc. Knowing each other makes it easier for us to approach each other with ideas, suggestions and problems.
Other benefits are access to information on issues of importance to your company and the opportunity to be part of network marketing activities. Your company is listed in various publications and you may participate in trade shows and travel fairs at reasonable cost. You can participate on different levels: being represented at trade shows, or in brochures, or you may be listed in the marketing material of one of the other network partners."