Wales sells sport and nature to clinch cruise deal.

(From Lloyds List)

SOUTH Wales is keen to position itself as a cruise destination, capitalising on growing interest in domestic cruise holidays, and seeing the country's natural beauty, high-profile sporting events at Cardiff Millennium Stadium and Cardiff's forthcoming centenary celebrations next year as attractions for tourists.

Now, Milford Haven Port Authority is to build a dedicated cruise berth as part of a marina and residential development at Martello Quays at the Port of Pembroke.

The move comes despite the fact that the MPHA handled no cruise ships this year, having attracted four calls in 2003.

'We are looking to obtain planning permission by early next year,' says MPHA chief executive, Ted Sangster. 'If we get it, we plan to start the first stage of building the berth infrastructure within two years and to have the cruise berth fully operational by 2007.

'This is a fully funded proposal: the housing project will remove the need for public funding. 'We are working in partnership with Pembrokeshire county council, the Welsh Development Agency and Crown Estates'

'We already have five cruise calls booked for 2005 and one booked in 2006, and are fully confident that the project will go ahead.'