Latest news with #CostaFavolosa
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Cruise ship with gastroenteritis outbreak on board allowed to dock at tiny island town
Passengers on the Costa Favolosa cruise ship reported symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness during a seven-day Northern European voyage from Hamburg before docking in Lerwick, Shetland. NHS Shetland and the Lerwick Port Authority stated they were not informed of any public health issues before the ship's arrival on May 20. Shore excursions in Lerwick were cancelled after a guest was visibly sick, raising concerns about the potential impact on local businesses. Almost 3,000 passengers crowded Lerwick's town centre before businesses were alerted to the gastroenteritis outbreak on board. Lerwick Port Authority has since contacted involved parties to tighten procedures for reporting passenger health concerns before future port calls.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fury as cruise ship hit by sickness bug outbreak allows passengers out on Shetland town
An Italian cruise line has come under fire after thousands of passengers exposed to a sickness bug were allowed to disembark in a town in Shetland. Passengers on board Costa Cruises Costa Favolosa ship had reported symptoms of 'mild gastrointestinal illness' during a seven-day Northern European voyage from Hamburg before the vessel docked in Lerwick, Shetland, earlier this month. Both NHS Shetland and the Lerwick Port Authority said they had not been advised of any public health issues before the arrival of the cruise ship on 20 May. Dr Susan Laidlaw, director of Public Health at NHS Shetland, said that the body only received notification of illness on board Costa Favolosa 'through the Port Health route late in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May'. 'However, we now understand that a small number of passengers with symptoms of gastroenteritis were being appropriately managed by the medical team on-board the vessel,' added Dr Laidlaw. Lerwick Port Authority added that 'vessels calling at the harbour are required to declare any concerns relating to passenger health' but on this occasion, the authority 'was not notified of any passenger ill-health on board the cruise ship Costa Favolosa'. Shore excursions for passengers in Lerwick were quickly cancelled by local operators when guests showed visible symptoms of a stomach bug. Sonia Robertson, managing director of R. Robertson and Son bus company, said that all island tours were stopped after a guest left a coach to be 'violently sick three times'. 'Something like this could have crippled the whole company and affect a lot of our staff and services,' she added, according to The Times. Almost 3,000 passengers crowded Lerwick's town centre before businesses were made aware that passengers had been taken ill with gastroenteritis on board. Celia Smith, owner of coffee shop Blyde Welcome, told The Shetland Times that locals had 'absolutely no warning' of the gastroenteritis breakout. She said: 'We could've been better prepared, we could've had more sanitiser and some businesses had face masks.' The 290-metre-long Costa Favolosa ship can carry almost 4,000 passengers. Dr Laidlaw advised hand washing and bleach-based cleaning products to help prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections. Cruise operator Costa Cruises insisted that it had been permitted to dock in Lerwick. The cruise line said in a statement: 'During the May 15-22 cruise on Costa Favolosa, some guests reported mild gastrointestinal symptoms to the ship's medical centre. As a precaution, we immediately implemented enhanced disinfection and sanitation measures.' According to Lerwick Port Authority: 'The Authority has contacted parties involved, and agreed measures which will tighten up procedures ensuring documentation is completed correctly and timeously prior to a port call, to prevent recurrence.'
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Is there a tourism boom in Aberdeen and north-east?
Aberdeen and the north-east experienced a tourism boom last year as the economic impact from visitors reached £1.27 billion. The new report from Global Tourism Solutions shows the region attracted almost 3.7 million staying visitors in 2024, up 16.9% on 2023. Last year marked the first full operational year of the new South Harbour cruise ship season at Port of Aberdeen, while Aberdeen Airport has reported a rise in tourists. It was also a record-breaking season for the National Trust for Scotland with more than 661,000 visitors across its venues. We investigated what's behind the growing appeal of the area – and if it will continue into 2025? Port of Aberdeen described 2024 as 'exciting' as it marked the first full operational cruise season at the harbour. It saw the arrival of the impressive 950ft Costa Favolosa, the largest ship ever to dock in the Granite City. More than 24,000 passengers and crew arrived in Aberdeen this season, each greeted by VisitAberdeenshire's 'meet and greet' team. It helped lead the UK's oldest business reach a record turnover of £50.7 million for the first time in its 900 year history. The number of ships expected to dock in South Harbour is also set to reach up to 70 – an increase from 49 recorded this year. Bob Sanguinetti, Port of Aberdeen chief executive, said: 'The expansion of Port of Aberdeen, coupled with CruiseAberdeenshire's incredible efforts to market the city and shire, is delivering outstanding results as we continue to deliver year on year growth in cruise calls. 'This landmark season demonstrates Aberdeen is growing as a premier destination for international cruise lines, which brings tremendous economic benefits to the region. 'We look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of guests to the port this year.' Aberdeen International Airport saw passengers numbers hit 2.34 million last year an increase from 2.3m in 2023. AGS Airports recently revealed plans to invest £350 million across the next five years with Aberdeen set to benefit from investment in its airfield infrastructure. A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: 'Strong air connectivity and a successful tourism sector go hand-in-hand. 'Together with our wider city and regional partners we are working to secure routes that will help attract even more domestic and international visitors to the north east.' P&J Live, part of the Teca campus in Aberdeen, has also proved to be a crowd puller. The venue, which replaced the Aberdeen Exhibition Conference and Centre, opened in 2019. The £400m Teca development also includes two hotels – the adjoining Hilton with 200 bedrooms and Aloft Hotel with 150 bedrooms. Rob Wicks, P&J Live managing director, said: 'It's great to see the continued growth of the region's visitor economy again this year as we strive to attract more visitors to the north-east. 'In the entertainment sector, we saw growth in ticket sales of 31%, and we are on track for a similar scale increase in 2025. 'The Rogue Invitational attracted 15,000 visitors from 39 countries and a 700 strong contingent of operations staff, athletes, coaches, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors to the city and generated estimated visitor spend of £3.9 million to the local economy. 'Last October the venue delivered five sold-out performances of Les Misérables, totalling some 25,000 tickets. This was the venue's first big theatre production and a great success. 'With SPE Offshore Europe and immersive exhibits such as Beyond Van Gogh still to come in 2025 – along with the much-anticipated Tall Ships event in the harbour and city centre – I expect the event sector will help to deliver a bumper year for the regional economy.' The National Trust for Scotland confirmed visitor numbers for 2024 exceeded 2023 More than 661,000 people visited the 11 NTS locations throughout the north-east in 2024. It is the second time in its 94-year history that the charity exceeded 500,000 visitors. Figures are expected to be more than 700,000 in 2025. Among the most popular destinations was Craigievar Castle and Fyvie Castle. Iain Hawkins, National Trust for Scotland's north-east regional director, said: 'It was a record-breaking year for the National Trust for Scotland across the country and in our region, with an increase in 45,000 visitors in the north east. 'Since 2023, the Trust's north east properties have increased by 181,000 visitors, levels of visitor growth that we have never experienced before. 'These amazing numbers were supported by the reopening of Craigievar Castle, a new natural playpark at Drum Castle, and events like 1644 – Travel back in Time at Fyvie Castle. 'This year, we're looking forward to breaking more records and welcoming over 700,000 visitors to our places in the region.' In the past year Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has won more than £59m worth of conference business. Between April 2024 and March 2025, 29 conferences were successfully bid for and won against tough UK and international competition thanks to Aberdeen Convention Bureau and P&J Live along with the University of Aberdeen. As a result, 33,770 conference delegates are expected to travel to the area between now and 2030, equaling 96,550 room nights across the region. Laura Wilson, Convention Bureau head, said: 'Our region is a world-class events destination, offering an exceptional experience for event planners and attendees. 'The formidable combination of academic achievements, two universities, private sector infrastructure and continued investment, puts the region in a strong position with organisers when compared to competitor cities.' The tourism sector employed 11,400 full-time people in 2024, a 1.5% increase on 2023. Day visitors also increased with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire welcoming more than 2.59m visitors, up 2.8% on 2023. Among the other encouraging figures was £232m was spent on accommodation within the region, down 1% on 2023, £193m on food and drink an increase of 3% on 2023 and £240m was spent on transport, up 4.1% on 2023. The economic impact report's findings are based on hotel occupancy levels and data from festivals, events and attractions. Chris Foy, VisitAberdeenshire chief executive, said: 'The growth in visits is a clear indication that the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is becoming an established destination for both leisure and conference visits. 'Our mission remains to attract more visitor who stay longer, spend more, and leave happier.' Jennifer Craw, Opportunity North East (ONE) chief executive, said: 'These figures reflect the positive momentum in the region's vital tourism sector, driven by the ambition and dedication of the people who work in the industry. 'The long-term focus on the sector's growth, backed with action and investment, is paying dividends with more people choosing to visit and stay to enjoy the outstanding experiences on offer across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.'
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Lerwick businesses 'furious' after thousands of tourists from sickness bug cruise descend on the island
Businesses have been left 'furious' after cruise ship passengers were allowed to roam the streets of Lerwick despite a viral sickness bug being onboard. Tourists descended on the town before tour guides were told people had taken ill with gastroenteritis onboard. They arrived on Tuesday and were sitting aboard buses when two bus companies were informed of quarantines aboard the 290-metre long Costa Favolosa. The boat can carry almost 4,000 passengers. Bus company R. Robertson and Son managing director Sonia Robertson took the decision to pull the plug on the tours after one passenger got off one of their buses to be 'violently sick three times'. And Lerwick shops were then puzzled to find a large influx of visitors – only to be warned by local tour guides why there were so many cruise passengers now in the town. Both have questioned why the passengers were allowed to come ashore, particularly if people were being quarantined onboard. Bus operator Sonia Robertson said she was 'a little bit baffled' why they were only told of the illness when tourists were already aboard their buses. She decided to cancel the tours after one passenger was 'violently sick three times'. 'Something like this could cripple the whole company and affect a lot of our staff and services,' she said. 'It could be catastrophic for school transport, for public bus services.' Robertson said deciding to pull the plug on the tours and thoroughly disinfecting their buses was 'going to cost us quite a fair bit of money'. Meanwhile, Blyde Welcome café owner Celia Smith said they had only been told about the viral sickness aboard the boat through 'word of mouth' by tour guides. She said: 'We did consider closing. 'As soon as anybody has left we've been disinfecting everything, like door handles. 'It's been like being back at the heart of Covid.' She added there had been a 'complete disregard for the local community's safety'. 'Almost 3,000 passengers were allowed to roam free,' she said. 'People were picking up things and putting them back again, we were having to disinfect everything.' Costa Cruises claimed its passengers had been cleared to disembark by 'local health authorities'. The company confirmed that it had taken emergency health precautions on board the ship after a passenger reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illnesses during her seven day Northern Europe cruise. The vessel is said to have been cleared and disinfected on Sunday while she was docked in Edinburgh. But both NHS Shetland and Lerwick Port Authority, which controls the harbour, said they had been unaware of illness aboard the Costa Favolosa before Tuesday's visit. NHS Shetland said it was only made aware of passengers with illness onboard 'late in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May'. And the LPA said it had 'not been notified of any passenger ill health onboard Costa Favolosa'. It said vessels were required to declare any concerns relating to passenger health through their shipping agent to the local health authority. It is understood the cruise operator may have mistakenly contacted a health board in a different area for clearance before arriving in Shetland which has its own NHS health board.
