March 15, 2001 In a campaign to revive the UK's ailing tourism industry, as the foot and mouth crisis deepens, high speed cross channel car ferry operator Hoverspeed, is bringing her new generation Superseacat fast craft to London for a two day promotional visit on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 March. The inbound Continental tourism market to the UK is a key aspect of the cross channel business and fears are growing that a decline will continue to have devastating effects on regional economies. Hoverspeed, who introduce their new look fleet of Superseacats from Monday 19 March on the Dover - Calais and Ostend routes, are taking the opportunity of 'flag waving' their new craft to actively promote tourism across the channel to both UK and Continental visitors. Hoverspeed carry over 3 million passengers annually, with over 1 million being inbound visitors from the Continent to the UK. Promotion of travel to and from the Continent across the channel is the drive behind the campaign, which will take place on board the Superseacat on Friday 16 March and Saturday 17 March. Tourism industry chiefs and representatives from regional tourist boards from the Nord Pas de Calais and Normandy regions of France and the Flanders region of Belgium, will be promoting their attractions and specialities as part of their own campaigns to continue to encourage cross channel travel. The travel industry reception is launched from 1200 midday on Friday 16 March on the Superseacat, which will be moored alongside HMS Belfast on the South Bank, near Tower Bridge. On Saturday 17 March Superseacat will be the venue for a Public Open day from 1000am to 1700pm. Admission is free to both HMS Belfast and the Superseacat on Saturday. Hoverspeed's Superseacat sails into the Pool of London today, Thursday 15 March, arriving through Tower Bridge at 1800 and alongside HMS Belfast at 1820. Sailing from Dover at 1200, the craft will pass through the Thames Barrier at 1700, Greenwich Pier at 1715, followed by Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast. The craft will remain there until her departure at 0600 on Sunday 18 March. The 100 metre Superseacat is one of three new generation craft Hoverspeed is about to introduce on the English Channel over the next two weeks. Each craft carries 700 passengers and 145 cars and travels at speeds of up to 40 knots. Crossing time between Dover and Calais will be just 40 minutes and 2 hours from Dover to Ostend. * Note to Forward Planning, News Editors, News Desks - Full filming and interview facilities with key tourism and travel industry representatives are available on board the Superseacat on Friday 16 March and Saturday 17 March.Press Release Media contact: Nick Stevens, Public Relations Manager Telephone: (01304) 865170 |