Press Release, 22nd November 2012

Drive to bring US tourists to Inverclyde

A drive to bring more American tourists to Inverclyde is being backed by local MSP Duncan McNeil.

The drive is being led by Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing who commended the extraordinary success of the tourism sector in Inverclyde.

The Minister has written to the Chair of CruiseScotland to see what can be done to secure further business from America.

Mr Ewing announced his attentions during a debate on the importance of the tourism sector to Scotland's economy.

Speaking in parliament Duncan McNeil said that Inverclyde had become a gateway to the rest of Scotland.

He also said that Scottish Enterprise and the Urban Regeneration Company were working on a project to allow more cruise liners to come into Inverclyde.

Greenock and Inverclyde Duncan McNeil MSP said:

“I am here to recognise the potential of tourism in the widest sense for a community that was based on traditional industries. As we know Greenock has turned into a gateway to Scotland for more than 60,000 passengers every year. We are constrained only by the physical resources. We have had positive discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney about a bid to extend the quay and the quayside. This week, I had an update from Scottish Enterprise and the urban regeneration company on the progress on that project, which if successful should increase the number of passengers coming through Inverclyde"