MANAGERS at Portland Port have held the first cruise educational event for potential new operators in an attempt to boost business in the local area.

The event, held earlier this month, was created to introduce ground tour operators who work on behalf of the cruise lines to local attractions in the hope of increasing business at the port.

Representatives from the four major tour operators operating in southern England were taken on a tour of the local attractions, such as Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

They then returned to Portland before a speed dating-type event with managers from local tourist attractions, including Portland Castle, Swanage Railway, Monkey World and the Bovington Tank Museum, who gave information about their respective attractions and the representatives told the tourism businesses what the cruise operators were looking for.

Ian McQuade, business development manager at the port, said: “I was amazed to discover that Portland Port appears to be one of the first ports to host such an event. As the cruise market becomes more diverse it becomes ever more important to ensure that the widest range of excursion options are made available to guests on board the visiting cruise ships.”

He added: “We recognise the crucial role that the ground tour operators play in promoting excursions to our cruise line customers, so it seemed only logical to organise and host such an event. Based on the hugely positive feedback we have since received, we certainly appear to have made the correct decision.”

The event was supported by Weymouth Business Improve-ment District and the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, as port chiefs aimed to encourage local businesses to become involved.

It is now hoped that other similar events will be held at the port and in the area, and the port is aiming for a second event in 2016.

Natasha Salaman, park and studio manager at Sculpture by the Lakes, believed the experience to be very productive.

She said: “We found the opportunity to meet the ground tour operators face to face both interesting and rewarding and hope to build solid working relationships from this ‘marriage’.”