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We need to be more visible along the A3 corridor, says Brittany Ferries UK chief
Brittany Ferries is running a series of offers to give residents a taste of what northern France has to offer, as well as on longer sail-and-stay holidays throughout the spring and summer.
31 January 2017
We need to be more visible along the A3 corridor, says Brittany Ferries UK chief
Brittany Ferries has published research which shows that people in the south are not clear on travel connections with France. It has vowed to do more to raise its profile among local residents and those living along the A3 corridor to bring more people to Portsmouth and continental destinations served by the sea.
In a survey of 500 people carried out in and around Portsmouth last summer, nearly half (47%) were unable to name any destination served by cross-channel ferry services to France. That’s despite the city linking directly with its twin, Caen, and serving Le Havre, Cherbourg and St Malo.
Furthermore, only 55 percent knew of direct sailings to Bilbao and Santander in Spain. The findings have concerned company chiefs because Portsmouth International Port sees nearly seven in ten of the company’s 2.4 million passengers each year.
“Portsmouth is our UK hub, and the south coast’s great waterfront city so it’s disappointing that our connection with France and Spain is a little opaque,” said Mike Bevens commercial director. “I’m keen to raise awareness among our neighbours in the city and across the A3 corridor to encourage people to take advantage of direct crossings to the continent. Portsmouth links with beautiful locations, many of which are suitable for day trips or a relaxing holiday in summer.”
Brittany Ferries is running a series of offers to give residents a taste of what northern France has to offer, as well as on longer sail-and-stay holidays throughout the spring and summer. Day trips to France are available from just £29 per person, running until 3 April. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/ferry/day-trips-france
Brittany Ferries is also offering a 20% discount on all self-catering and hotel holidays booked before 7 February. A family of four can, for example, sail with Brittany Ferries and stay at a range of self-catering holiday homes and cottages in Brittany, Normandy or the Loire Valley for under £250 per person for a week in August, secured with a £40 pp deposit. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/holidays/2017-sale
About the research:
The online research was conducted by London research agency Opinion Matters, among 500 residents with PO postcodes broken down as follows: Portsmouth City Council (263), Havant Borough (100), Gosport Borough (63) and Fareham Borough (74). The study was undertaken in summer 2016, with the aim of understanding awareness of ferry services among city residents and to explore perceptions of the on-board experience for those who have recently travelled by sea.
About Brittany Ferries:
Brittany Ferries is a passenger car and freight service operating from eleven ports, linking four countries: UK – France, UK – Spain and Ireland – France. The company was set up by a collective of French farmers as a freight-only operator, running from Roscoff in Brittany to Plymouth with the first crossing taking place on 1 January 1973, the date the United Kingdom joined the EEC (forerunner to the EU).
The aim then was to bring French agricultural products to a wider British market. However, the service quickly developed into an operation carrying hundreds of thousands of British tourists, eager to experience the delights of Brittany and Normandy. Today Brittany Ferries is the market leader on the Western Channel for passengers and for freight. It is also a leading supplier of ferry-inclusive holidays to France and Spain. Further information can be found by visiting: www.brittanyferries.com.
Contact:
Christopher Jones on 02392 402 965 or 07917 540 878 or [email protected]
Nigel Wonnacott on 02392 402 943 or 07833 446 729 or [email protected]