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21st century cruise destination Executive Summary 3 DIVERSITY OF ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS The port and the city are inextricably linked for cruise visitors and other tourists, too. Those who arrive or embark on cruise ships want to see the rest of the city either during their day ashore or, by adding days before or after the cruise, being able to stay in the city and explore it more fully. There are a variety of organised tours both to see the city sites and to experience the best of the rest of The Netherlands. But, equally, it is a city that has an impressively broad-based transportation system, and an ever- welcoming population makes it easy to tour independently. FROM FISHING VILLAGE TO WORLD CATCHMENT AREA OF 65 MILLION A former European City of Culture, PORT TO WORLD CITY IN 800 YEARS POTENTIAL PASSENGERS Rotterdam is rich in the arts and – in Rotterdam will be exhibiting at the Rotterdam remains ambitious for particular – architecture within which World Expo 2010 (held in its sister growth, which it measures in more there is a heady mixture of historic and city Shanghai) to demonstrate how a than simple economic value. modern design. Equally intriguing is world-class city and port can grow and The port remains a major part of – and the culinary mix, with the more than prosper within an environmentally- contributor to – that growth and those 100 cuisines represented among its friendly development structure. This is ambitions, with cruising playing a cafes, bars and restaurants, refl ecting a measure of its growing international part through its turnaround traffi c for the city’s cosmopolitan style and status and the latest step on the 800- which the growth potential remains atmosphere – its multicultural, trendy year journey this former fi shing village huge: as one of the most vibrant port and energetic power base makes has taken en route to becoming a cities in the world surrounded by visitors quickly feel at home. World City. Some 400 years of trading history and with modern attractions has created a World Port – the largest from shopping to wining and dining, DOCK IN THE HEART OF THE CITY in Europe. Rotterdam is the perfect start, or Mai Elmar, director of Cruise Port end, for a European cruise. There Rotterdam, is confi dent for the future. Now a vibrant, contemporary centre, is a catchment area of 65 million She says: “Cruise ships are becoming Rotterdam is at the heart of Europe prospective passengers in the near larger all the time but Rotterdam is able with a skyline that refl ects its present- vicinity. Already many world-class to welcome these vessels into its harbour day outlook: young, dynamic, ocean and river cruise ships choose right in the city centre. creative, exciting, open minded and Rotterdam as their turnaround point. international. Rotterdam has always A new addition this year is Norwegian “The quay has been reinforced and been well connected internationally Cruise Line – using Rotterdam as a deepened and our maritime and nautical due to its favourable geographical homeport with two fi ve-day Baltic services are fully geared to handling the location on the banks of the river cruises scheduled. largest ships. These fl oating palaces Nieuwe Maas that connects directly to can be mooring at our quay and newly- the deep waters of the North Sea. refurbished terminal within two hours of being out at sea.” Rotterdam World City COSMOPOLITAN CITY DYNAMIC CITY city’s post-war development. The It already looks and feels like the most Rotterdam is not just the Gateway to combination of historical and post-war modern city in The Netherlands. This is Europe but also to one of Europe’s buildings makes for fascinating vistas thanks in no small measure to the port, most dynamic cities. A melting pot of across the city. which helps ensure a constant infl ux rich cultural diversity, the city offers of new people and new ideas. With a unique blend of exciting, trend- The most evocative modern examples 400 years of trading experience, it has setting entertainments within an ever- include the Euromast tower, Erasmus become the largest port in Europe. evolving cityscape. Bridge, KPN Tower, New Luxor Theatre and the Cube Houses, all of which were Throughout its history, Rotterdam has ARCHITECTURAL CITY celebrated as part of the Rotterdam welcomed international visitors and, as The city’s dramatic skyline has 2007 – City of Architecture event. And a result, about half of the city’s 600,000 prompted impressive comparisons the city is determined to remain at the population has international roots. More to be made. For what Cannes is cutting edge, setting up the Design than 170 nationalities and countries to fi lm and Milan is to fashion, Platform Rotterdam in 2008 to bring are represented in the city, including Rotterdam surely is to architecture. the various players from the industry Suriname, Turkey and Morocco as well as Great architects and great vision have together, to raise awareness of the value the USA, UK, Spain, Poland, Scandinavia combined to create a rich heritage of design and of Rotterdam’s leading and China and this means that, although of ground-breaking design in the role in this sector. Dutch is the offi cial language, English and many other languages are spoken. 5 Schiphol. By road, Schiphol is 45 minutes away, while Brussels International Airport CRUISE CITY Zaventem and Eindhoven Airport are each The City’s development began in only 90-minute drives. the 13th Century when a dam was built to separate the rivers Rotte and Alternatively, the European High Speed Nieuwe Maas. Named Rotterdam as Railway network is a comfortable and quick a result, it had become a prosperous way to reach major European cities including trading town by the 17th Century, Paris (two hours), Brussels and Frankfurt. when it was part of the United East Indies Companies and homeport for Rotterdam’s strategic location at the heart Dutch sea heroes Maarent Tromp of a European market with 500m potential and Piet Heyn. consumers has obvious benefi ts for the business community, which has only been But its breakthrough into becoming enhanced by the investment in high-speed a genuine international centre of telecommunications and the availability of trade, transport and industry came a multi-lingual and highly-skilled workforce. with the 1872 construction of de Nieuwe Waterweg, which linked BUSINESS CITY it directly with the North Sea. The This, though, is nothing new, as following year, Plate, Reuchlin Rotterdam’s history and growth and Co. became the Netherlands have been based on its strength in American Steamship Company, international shipping, trade and later turned into Holland America logistics. It is simply ensuring that it Line. This – along with other major adapts to a changing world by focusing shipping companies – plied the on emerging industries particularly in the North Atlantic with increasingly health care, energy and creative sectors. lavish passenger liners during the fi rst half of the 20th Century. The city has built upon its cosmopolitan GREEN CITY heritage by becoming a full and active Always a green city with its 2,000 hectares Holland America Line member of Eurocities – a network of of public parks and gardens (including headquartered on the site of the major European cities, which encourages Euromast Park, Trompenburg Arboretum, present Hotel New York, and its the constant exchange of cultural, Zuiderpark, Vrosenepark and Kralingse ships with recurring names like educational, environmental and social Bos) and network of cycle routes, Rotterdam, Statendam and Nieuw ideas, experiences and best practices. Rotterdam is approaching the issue of Amsterdam, carried hundreds of Rotterdam also has close links with climate-change with its usual dynamism. thousands of passengers between cities outside Europe, including Jakarta, Rotterdam and New York. Shanghai and Sao Paulo. The city and port are part of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative tasked with dramatically So, as well as international trade, CONNECTED CITY reducing Rotterdam’s CO2 emissions by Rotterdam’s direct link with the Rotterdam is a major travel hub for all 50% in the 35 years to 2025. The aim is for North Sea now ensures that ocean forms of transportation, with extensive it to become the world capital of CO2- and river cruise ships both visit and road, rail and air links, too. Rotterdam free energy. This will happen alongside also homeport in the city. Their Airport is the most important regional the port’s own expansion plans. Currently presence along the eye-catching airport in The Netherlands. Well connected handling more than 500 sailings a week to waterfront skyline also attracts to the major European hubs, it also has more than 1,000 ports worldwide, it will be many other visitors to the port and business jet fl ights 24/7 and a high-speed reclaiming almost 2,000 extra hectares of to take harbour tours as well. train link (just 19 minutes) to Amsterdam land for industrial use. 6 ROTTERDAM WORLD CITY Rotterdam’s location and colourful, cosmopolitan history have ensured that many cultures and tastes are represented in the city’s world of food, shopping, entertainment, attractions, museums, festivals and other events. There is certainly no shortage of things to see and do for cruise visitors, whether they are there just for a few hours or for several days on pre- or post-cruise packages. However long they are there, there is also every chance that their visit will coincide with a festival, cultural or sporting event. 7 Rotterdam is also home to world class international festivals like the MUSEUM CITY International Film Festival Rotterdam, There are also must-see museums the North Sea Jazz Festival, Bavaria in Rotterdam covering a range City Racing, World Harbour Days and of subjects and themes.