Wales is missing out on the chance to capitalise on the recent growth in the leisure cruise market, according to a new report by the government's Welsh Affairs Committee.
The study has called for more ambition and investment from the Department for Transport (DfT) in a bid to support the Welsh Assembly Government's attempts to promote Welsh ports as a destination alongside rival Celtic ports.
According to the report, Wales has been restricted in its ability to capitalise on the sector's growth due to a lack of adequate berthing facilities, which has also restricted economic opportunities in Welsh port destinations.
Recommendations include the joint development of a ports policy for Wales between the DFT and Welsh Assembly Government in order to identify areas of investment, as well as the development of short-sea shipping to transport goods from major ports as an alternative to road transport.
Dr Hywel Francis, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, said: "There is a great deal of untapped potential just waiting to be mined in the cruise market which could bring significant economic, business and tourism opportunities to local communities in and around Welsh ports, and to the wider economy.
"It is an exciting possibility that Welsh ports, along with Irish ports, could in the future rival the Baltic cruise market which has seen rapid growth in recent years. But the necessary investment must happen if this is to become a reality."
