Business and leisure 'booming' at Dover ferry port

Dover ferry port has announced that its leisure and business operations are "booming" following the release of a new annual report.

The port said that problems in the economy are "failing to dent traffic flows", with cruise activity in particular increasing in 2008, bringing some 270,000 passengers to Dover and generating income of £4.9 million.

Some 2.8 million tourist car journeys were recorded at the port last year, which was unchanged from 2007.

Looking forward, growth in traffic is expected this year as a result of people catching ferries from Dover to Boulogne and Dieppe on new services operated by LD Lines, while P&O Ferries is due to deploy new ships on the Dover to Calais ferry route in 2010.

Port of Dover chief executive Bob Goldfield said: "No doubt the turbulent economy is having its impact on the port, but the impact is by no means negative.

"Rising fuel costs hit airline charges even harder, which in turn drives tourist traffic on to ferries; tighter budgets mean that hauliers seek more cost-efficient routes to market; and a strong euro attracts visitors in to the UK."

LD Lines announced this week that it will launch a new ship on its Dover to Boulogne ferry route in May, enabling it to increase frequency from two to six daily return sailings.

Written by Mark Robinson

Dover - Calais

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