Ferry Travel Grows In Popularity

The trend for ferry travel among holidaymakers continues to strengthen as customers rediscover the benefits of ferry travel and avoid airport chaos.  The latest industry figures for August – the busiest month of travel - show that ferry travel showed more growth and a sustained sign of revival.

The Ferrystat figures* for August show a significant increase in car and passenger travel.  Car carryings from the UK to the Continent show a 4.6% increase in August and a 2.7% increase year to date. Another notable growth is with the Short Sea routes where car journeys were up by 9.5% in August and 6.4% year to date.  Passenger ferry travel on the same route was also up by 5.3% in August and 3.6% year to date.  The North Sea routes have however 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, the industry body for cruise and ferry companies, “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 PSA’s newly revamped information website www.sailanddrive.com lists details of ferry routes and ferry companies available from the UK to the near continent, the 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 easy access to Germany and beyond. 

* Source: Monthly Ferrystat is produced by IRN research in conjunction with the Passenger Shipping Association. Excludes Scottish routes

26 September 2007