CITY BUSINESSES AND LOCAL ECONOMY SET TO BENEFIT FROM DUTCH VISIT

NE1’s Newcastle City Marina has seen the future and it’s orange, at least from the 26 – 28 June.  On Thursday 26 June, between 11am – 1pm, an international fleet of 58 Dutch yachts will arrive at the NE1 Newcastle City Marina on the Newcastle Quayside after a 3 day expedition across the North Sea.  This is the first time the Newcastle city marina has welcomed such a large fleet of sailors from Holland in a visit that has been organised by NE1 Ltd with cooperation from other North East marinas. On Thursday 26^th June 2014 the fleet of Dutch yachts will arrive at Newcastle City Marina after a 3 day expedition across the North Sea.  The yachts will set sail from the Dutch coastal port of Ijmuiden heading initially to Hartlepool Marina.   After a well-earned rest day they will sail up the Tyne to arrive at the Newcastle City Marina between 11 -1pm. NE1 Ltd has worked closely with the Dutch Kustzeilers Association and with its north east counterparts, Hartlepool Marina and Royal Quays, to organise the trip that will introduce the Dutch sailors to the North East’s 3 local marinas and to all that is on offer in Newcastle City centre and the wider North East Region. Newcastle is already a popular destination for Dutch visitors and because Holland is a seafaring nation, with sailing a popular Dutch pastime, NE1 was keen to capitalise on this dual interest by encouraging more people to travel to the North East by sea.  NE1 Ltd was keen to tap into this Dutch market and attract these yachtsmen, many of whom are used to travelling considerable distances, to experience the quality offer that is available in Newcastle’s new Newcastle City Marina. NE1’s Newcastle City Marina, which opened two years ago, has already achieved a return on investment to city businesses well in excess of its construction cost. Figures from the Royal Yachting Association calculate that one boat staying overnight is worth approximately £160 to the local economy and the marina expects to exceed 2000 visits in the 2014 sailing season. Commenting on the Dutch visitors, Adrian Waddell, Director of Operations at NE1 Ltd explained: “It has taken two years to bring this trip to fruition and the numbers participating have exceeded all expectations, so much so we’ve had to hire in extra pontoon berthing and seek assistance from HMS Calliope to help cater for the numbers. We were determined to show off our city and our new Marina to yachtsmen who regularly travel long distances but have previously missed out the North East from their voyages.  Spreading the word about Newcastle City Marina to an international audience will encourage more of the international sailing fraternity to include Newcastle in their itinerary when making a passage across the North Sea. A packed programme of activities is planned for the Dutch visitors over their three day stay including a drinks reception with the Lord Mayor at the Discovery Museum which will be attended by Newcastle based guest of honour David Scott Cowper - the first man to sail solo round the world in both directions and was also the first to successfully sail single handed around the world via the Northwest Passage . Other activities include a walking tour of the Quayside and coach trips to the Angel of the North and Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.  A BBQ and beach volleyball tournament is also planned on NE1’s Quayside Seaside, pop up beach on Friday 27 June before the yachts set sail for home on Saturday 28 June.