Port of Helsingborg Magazine Winter/Spring 2006 - Helsingborgs ...

Broad cooperation to attract morecruise lines to the BalticSince the beginning of 2005, the cities of Helsingborg inSweden and Helsingör in Denmark have been members ofthe cruise organisation “Cruise Baltic”. Sixteen destinationsin 10 countries round the Baltic are cooperating to attractan even higher number of cruise tourists. The goal is anincrease of 20 per cent.“Constellation” at anchor in the North Harbour.Helsingborg and Helsingör act as ajoint destination within Cruise Baltic,and this is very much in line with thecooperation that has already been establishedon other fronts. Competitionis tough, with cities such as Copenhagen,St Petersburg and Stockholmin the same region. In combination,Helsingborg and Helsingör become amore powerful alternative. ‘The shippinglines always ply the same routesand they cannot turn their backs on themajor cities. But many of the touristsare on return visits and, in addition,cruise passengers often “collect” destinations.So there is a demand for placesto complement the big cities,’ says MonicaBengtsson, who is Helsingborg’stourism development manager.Creative events attractThere is a considerable fund ofknowledge about the cruise industryin Helsingborg. The Port of Helsingborgstarted working on cruises as farback as 1991 and, five years later, theCity started to get involved. The portfacilities are excellent – ships of allsizes are welcome - and Helsingör isable to boast Kronborg – “Hamlet’sCastle” - which is an internationalattraction. ‘Our foremost selling pointsare the activities we are able to offer. Inlarger cities, events tend to be ratherstandardized whereas we are able tooffer different, creative activities. Thisis much appreciated, and we’re focusingon that,’ says Monica Bengtsson.At first glance, Cruise Baltic can beperceived as being cooperation betweentough competitors. To a certainextent, this is the case. But the fact isthat the 16 destinations boost eachother and compete jointly against otherregions that attract cruises. In Europe,the Mediterranean has a high cruisefrequency. There are also alternativesaround the British Isles and along theEuropean Atlantic coast.