Peel Commissioners is putting forward ideas to entice cruise ship visitors to stay in the seaside town.

About 12 cruise ships are scheduled to set up anchor in Peel this year and members of the local authority are keen to give their guests a warm welcome.

It is hoped visitors would choose to take in the sights and check out the town’s shops, cafes and restaurants.

Commissioner Ian Davison suggested at the board meeting last week that leaflets giving details about the town, its heritage sites and other local places to see, should be given to visitors once they reach the shore. Chairman of the board, Christine Moughtin, agreed.

’It would be nice to make up a little packet which says "Welcome to Peel",’ she said.

Commissioner Hazel Hannan saidthe board could go to the restaurants, cafes and shops telling them about the leaflet and finding out whether any would like to provide vouchers for the guests.

Town clerk Derek Sewell, said the board should be mindful to not ’duplicate what the government are going to do’ as it has a designated team that does the meeting and greeting.

The government’s Cruise Isle of Man team also offers several excursions, which provide a day tour of the island. A total of 4,493 visitors enjoyed the guided tours last year.

Mr Sewell said about half of the cruise ship visitors would go on the tours and those who choose to go will be back in Peel by the evening.

’There will be an opportunity there for Peel to make a bit of a show,’ he said.

The board agreed it should arrange a trade meeting to discuss potential plans, as well as the financial aspects.

Last year 24 cruise ships carrying 8,391 passengers visited the island, along with 6,026 crew. Some 45 cruise ships are due to stop off at the island this year, according to the 2019 Cruise Call Schedule.

In March last year, the government announced it plans to spend more than £80 million as part of its Harbour Strategy to develop piers across the island.

A multi-million pound deep-water berthing harbour is planned for Victoria Pier in Douglas for cruise ships to dock.

The strategy states there is ’potential for Peel marina to be further developed to provide a home port from which to explore the island’.

The Department of Infrastructure created a Peel Marina Project Board in 2017, a cross-government group.

It focuses on options for the dredging of Peel to allow normal operation of the marina and looks for a long term solution.

A planning application is pending for temporary storage pools, one in a field beyond the power station.

The majority of the silt would be pumped to the pool by a pipeline.