Ferries gain from airports ‘backlash’
A growing backlash against airport delays has led to an upturn in demand for ferry travel, according to industry body the Passenger Shipping Association.
The number of UK ferry passengers increased by 0.8% to reach nearly 15.7 million passengers in the half year to June 2007, latest Ferrystat figures produced by IRN research in conjunction with the PSA, show.
The PSA said the results proved that holidaymakers are increasingly choosing ferry travel as a preferred mode of transport to the continent, the UK and Ireland.
There has been an overall 3.5% rise in car journeys to the Continent, Ireland and the British Islands (excluding Scottish routes).
UK and Ireland routes have seen car carryings up by 5.6%, journeys to the British Isles are up by 4.4%, while car journeys to the Continent have increased by 2.4%.
This upturn suggests that more and more travellers, especially families, are taking self-drive holidays to avoid “unpleasantly crowded” airport terminals, the PSA said.
Director Bill Gibbons said: “Customer perceptions are changing and ferries are increasingly being seen as a more convenient, family-friendly and less stressful way to travel.
“It is often less expensive to travel by ferry during school holidays than to fly and there are no luggage restrictions or extra costs. Passengers appreciate the shorter check-in times, the freedom of travelling with their own car and the opportunity to relax on board.”
The PSA’s revamped information website www.sailanddrive.com lists ferry routes and ferry companies available from the UK to the Continent, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Scottish Isles and Ireland. There are direct ferry routes to Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland, France and Spain as well as access to Germany and beyond.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026