Ferry travel on the up
Ferry travel in August showed a significant increase in car and passenger travel.
Car carryings from the UK to the Continent showed a 4.6% increase in August and a 2.7% increase year to date.
On Short Sea routes, car journeys were up by 9.5% in August and 6.4% year to date, while passenger ferry travel was up by 5.3% in August and 3.6% year to date.
But North Sea routes have suffered a reduction in carryings, primarily due to the withdrawal of the large high speed ferry – the HSS – on the Harwich – Hook route.
Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: “We have seen this continuing trend for over a year now and I am confident it is here to stay.
“The ferry industry has worked hard over a number of years to make the experience better for customers and it is now finally paying off.
“Customers now realise the convenience and hassle-free nature of ferry travel and the numerous benefits such as shorter check-in times, the freedom of travelling with their own car – taking as much luggage as they can fit in or on top of their cars at no extra cost – and the opportunity to relax onboard modern luxury cruise style ships.
“The boost in ferry travel throughout August suggests that many holidaymakers are using ferries as an alternative to travel by air and we expect this to continue.“
The figures are produced by IRN research in conjunction with the Passenger Shipping Association and exclude Scottish routes.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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