Port of Cromarty Firth to host workshop helping local businesses get ready for the cruise season
The Port of Cromarty Firth is inviting local businesses to a workshop designed to help them make the most of cruise visitor opportunities.
The session will outline how cruise tourism works – from cruise lines and ground handlers to shore excursions – alongside insights from last year’s visitor data to help businesses understand who is arriving, what visitors look for and what tends to perform well locally.
One section in the workshop will focus on visibility and social media and include hands-on tips to help businesses build momentum ahead of the start of the season and get the most from shared campaigns and port channels.
It will be held on March 4, ahead of the first cruise ship of the season visiting on April 6.
The workshop is being developed as an interactive, round-table style session, giving attendees the chance to ask questions and apply ideas directly to their own business.
More than 180,000 cruise passengers visited the Cromarty Firth in 2025 – and 2026 is shaping up to be another busy year, with 95 ships scheduled to visit.
Joanne Allday, Head of Strategy and Business Development at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “Cruise brings a real opportunity for local businesses, but it can sometimes feel hard to know where to start.
“This workshop is about demystifying how the cruise sector works and sharing practical steps businesses can take now to be ready for the season.”
Event details
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm
Venue: Ross Sutherland Rugby Club, Castle Avenue, Invergordon
Who should attend: Any business in the area that would like to attract cruise visitors
To register to attend, visit fill in the form below
What the session will cover
- How to attract cruise passengers into your business, featuring a data-led look at who visits and where they’re from
- An overview of how the cruise sector is structured and the current trends
- Practical advice on how to be more visible to tourists
- A hands-on session about how to promote your business on social media
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