The Steam Packet is trying to drum up trade during ’National Ferry Fortnight’.

The initative is British Isles-wide and aims to encourage travel by sea.

The Steam Packet has teamed up with Manx National Heritage to create a special offer for the fortnight to attract visitors.

The theme of this year’s campaign, which runs from May 6 to 20, is ’Ferry Together’, encouraging family and friends to spend more time together.

Research by National Ferry Fortnight organiser Discover Ferries has revealed that two thirds of parents say holidays and trips away are the only quality time their families spend together, due to the hectic nature of modern life and increasing use of digital gadgets.

Last year’s partnership between the Steam Packet and MNH secured more than 330 bookings in just two weeks.

The offer, which is available only for bookings made during National Ferry Fortnight, includes a ’heavy’ discount on the Steam Packet’s ’Any Length’ offer and free access to MNH sites:

Ferry Together to the Isle of Man with a car plus two people, for any length of stay, costs from £85 each way.

The offer is valid for travel between May 8 to 23 this year and between September 5 and January 4.

During the fortnight, the Steam Packet will be promoting the island and the benefits of ferry travel in national UK media, with many outlets running features about the campaign and the destinations promoted by the ferry companies.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’Each year National Ferry Fortnight brings together ferry firms which operate routes to and from the British Isles to encourage more people to enjoy the comfort, relaxation and convenience of sailing. It is a wonderful opportunity to promote our services as well as the rich culture, heritage and incredible natural beauty of our Island home to a wide audience across Britain.

’Last year we partnered with MNH to provide a special offer to encourage more people to visit the Isle of Man, and it proved extremely popular. We’re delighted to once again be working with MNH, custodians of the island’s celebrated internationally acclaimed heritage sites, to include MNH Holiday Passes alongside a substantial discount on our Any Length offer. This represents superb value for money.’

He added: ’The theme this year is Ferry Together, encouraging people to spend quality time with family and friends during their holidays. The Isle of Man is the perfect place to spend time together, so we hope to be welcoming many new and returning visitors with this offer.’