A cruise ships volunteer programme which will help to give a positive first impression of the region has been awarded a £67,080 grant at the Finance and Resources Committee.
VisitAberdeenshire’s Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteer scheme was created to meet and help to orientate visitors in those first few moments while they decide how best to spend their time in our destination.
Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “VisitAberdeenshire’s cruise ship volunteer programme will be of benefit to the visitors coming to our stunning region as they will get extra help to discover where they can go and what to do.
“It will also benefit the area as a whole as it by giving visitors a warm welcome as they step ashore, they will have a positive experience which will help in spreading the word about what’s on offer in Aberdeen.”
The report to Finance and Resources Committee said the main focus for the volunteers is to welcome to cruise passengers arriving in Aberdeen and provide them with information on things to see and do during their free time in Aberdeen city while the cruise ship is in port.
The key objectives of the volunteer programme are:
- to provide a positive first impression of the region. It’s essential to impress, if visitors are to come back and experience the area again.
- to create fulfilling volunteering opportunities that could upskill, engage and demonstrate knowledge about the region and give back to the community.
- Generate civic pride by creating regional ambassadors, who could talk up the destination and the local businesses within it.
- change the narrative of the region’s story. The volunteers would have an opportunity to highlight the destination’s credentials as a tourism destination.
The funding will increase the volunteer pool to 30 volunteers and provide training for current and new recruits to improve their knowledge and promotion of the city. It will also allow the purchase of a branded information trailer which will provide the volunteers a base to provide a service in all weathers while also displaying more information to cruise visitors on things to see and do in the region.
The benefits of the programme will include the economy by driving more footfall and expenditure into Aberdeen city businesses during the summer cruise season, people by engaging local residents to join the welcome volunteer programme and provide opportunities for them to socialise with visitors and fellow volunteers and give them a sense of purpose and belonging to the local area, and place as civic pride breeds respect for the community, and greater respect for the life of the cities natural and built assets.
Chris Foy, CEO, VisitAberdeenshire, said: “We’re delighted that the proposal to expand and enhance the quayside experience has been approved. Our volunteers have already offered thousands of warm North East welcomes and as we move into the second cruise season, the additional funding will ensure that even more arriving passengers will have the best possible start to their visit.”
Other awards from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Aberdeen City Council include £106,110 to Greyhope Bay for co-creating sustainable solution for energy transition, £15,000 to Aberdeen Inspired for the Aberdeen Union Street Upper Floors Feasibility Study, and £275,000 for the events programme at the Council’s Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light 2025.