Dover Cruise Port is to host the third UK Cruise Convention which is expected to attract more than 450 travel professionals in June.

The port’s two terminals will become a Mecca for travel agents over the three days of the event starting June 17.

There will be business discussions looking at specific sectors of the cruise industry as well as a conference and a trade fair.

In addition, agents will also have the opportunity to visit up to four ships which have never before featured at the event – Holland America Line’s Prinsendam, Fred Olsen’s Braemar, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony and Princess Cruises’ Tahitian Princess.

“We are delighted to be hosting the event for a second time in three years,” said Kate O’Hara, Head of Commercial and Marketing at the Port of Dover.

“Our unrivalled facilities plus quality and range of cruise line customers give us a valuable edge over our competitors. We are also grateful for some partnership support from Dover Town Council which enabled us to put forward a very attractive package for delegates.

“Dover will be in the shop window and we need to put our best foot forward. Delegates will be staying in local hotels and attending functions at tourist attractions in the area. It is a wonderful opportunity for the area to promote itself to influential members of the travel trade from all over the UK.”

The event, organised by the Association of Cruise Experts, is not open to the public.