Ferry Sector Makes a Big Splash with over 2,000 pairs* of Ferry Tickets in Big Ferry Fortnight Ballot
The ferry industry is launching its first ever public ballot for free ferry tickets during Big Ferry Fortnight, which runs from March 23rd – April 6th this year. As part of this celebration of ferry travel, developed by Discover Ferries, the public will get the chance to bid for over 2,000 pairs of tickets including routes across the South East. Tickets for cyclists, vehicle and foot passengers will be available to destinations such as France and Holland, as well as cruises on the River Thames.
All of Discover Ferries’ 13 ferry members have come together to offer UK residents the chance to discover the ease and joy of ferry travel, with DFDS, MBNA Thames Clipper, P&O and Stena Line offering tickets on a range of routes such as Dover to Calais, Newhaven to Dieppe, Harwich to Holland and even a cruise past the Houses of Parliament in London.
The ballot, orchestrated by Discover Ferries, is aimed at residents from across the South East and the wider UK, inviting them to discover, or re-discover, the convenience and comfort ferry travel provides families, couples and people with a passion for travel and adventure. The latest industry figures show that more than 38 million passenger journeys[1] were made by ferry within the UK and to the British Isles, Ireland, France, Spain and Holland in 2018.
During Big Ferry Fortnight (March 23rd – April 6th), UK and Isle of Man residents will have the chance to bid for ferry tickets to travel with friends or family on one of over 50 ferry routes operated by Discover Ferries’ members. Tickets are available for a vast array of ferry trips, from short Island-hopping routes across Scotland and larger island escapes such as the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly, to cruise-style ferries across the North and Irish Seas, as well as cross-Channel trips and even scenic river journeys across London.
Pre-registration for tickets is open now at www.bigferryfortnight.com, and the ballot will open for applications from March 23rd.
Emma Batchelor, Director of Discover Ferries, says: “Ferries are one of travel’s best kept secrets – especially if you value ease of travel, so we are inviting South East residents to discover ferry travel for themselves by offering the chance to win a pair of free tickets on a route of their choice. There are a wealth of incredible destinations to explore from the South East coast, and the ballot also includes travel on board some of the most advanced cruise-style ferries on the longer routes to Ireland and continental Europe. A plethora of shorter crossings on smaller vessels that offer unparalleled views of the coastal waters and rivers surrounding our beautiful and diverse collection of Islands and mainland UK are also up for grabs. Whatever ferry route you take, you will feel your holiday has started as soon as you board!”
Discover Ferries members taking part in the Big Ferry Fortnight ballot are: Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Condor Ferries, DFDS, Hovertravel, Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Isles of Scilly Travel, MBNA Thames Clippers, P&O Ferries, Red Funnel, Stena Line and Wightlink.
“We are delighted that all of our members have agreed to take part in the Big Ferry Fortnight campaign, giving a truly unique opportunity for UK residents to try ferry travel, perhaps for the first time, and experience the joy and ease of travelling by water,” added Emma.
To pre-register your interest in the Big Ferry Fortnight ballot, visit www.bigferryfortnight.com.
