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Idyllic, unspoiled, breathtakingly deserted few parts of the British Isles
are more beautiful than Scotland's West Coast islands and peninsulas. Equally few
more remote but one company is working tirelessly to prove that remote
needn't mean cut off and that picture postcard scenery is just one of many
reasons to visit. That company is multi award-winning CalMac, lifeline ferry
service provider to Scotland's west coast and the largest ferry operator in
the UK our 32 strong fleet of ferries serves twenty seven different destinations
around the region. Annually that adds up to around 5 million passengers and just over one
million cars along with 93,000 commercial vehicles and 11,000 coaches.
All of which is made possible by a team in excess of 1,300, roughly half of whom are
employed from around the region. In summer we provide four hundred and
seventy-five daily ceilings and in winter 325 sailings that's over 130,000
sailings every year in good weather and in bad because as the lifeline ferry
service provider we know just how much the region depends on us.
Why the term lifeline? For the 60% of passengers who live or work
around Scotland's west coast we are quite literally a lifeline for getting
to work,
school, hospital and other essential services.
The same applies for the many local businesses, hauliers and commercial vehicles that
rely on CalMac to keep supply chains flowing, supply chains that are vital if
local economies are to continue to innovate, grow and thrive. The remaining
40% of passengers at those who come to visit the region, something we work hard
to encourage through partnerships with tourism organisations, transport
operators and the travel trade, award-winning marketing campaigns,
road shows, trade shows and tour shops. We also host an annual travel and tourism
conference encouraging collaboration throughout the region.
Offer a kids club for younger visitors and we've invested significantly in our
digital media, making it easier than ever for all visitors to plan and book their
next trip. The more new and repeat visitors we can attract the higher the
visitors spend and the bigger the boost to local economies. On board our approach
is every bit as proactive, we go to great lengths to make the passenger experience
as enjoyable as possible starting with our commitment to locally sourced
produce. From freshly prepared meals and light bites to spirits, ales and lagers through
to the specialities that are available to buy on board, we work directly with
close to 50 local food and drink suppliers. It's our way of giving
passengers of our ages a true taste of Scotland's west coast, as well as
supporting the local businesses based there.
It's also helped CalMac become the first ferry operator to receive Visit Scotland's
Taste Our Best accreditation - an award given for going the extra mile to
provide good quality food using exceptional Scottish produce. Different
ferries offer different services to suit the length of the journey, everything
from the spacious Mariners cafeteria to the intimate Coffee Cabin and Still Bar.
Beyond the food and drink experience there's also are on board shop, a choice
of lounges and seating areas, baby changing facilities and play areas and
gaming zones for the over 18's and because we want each passengers experience to be
as enjoyable as the next we also offer help with boarding and disembarking for
anyone with young infants, limited mobility or using wheelchairs. Menu
options for those with special dietary need and a dedicated travel trade team
for those traveling in groups of 12 or more. Of course serving the needs of the
region as remote as Scotland's West Coast isn't without its challenges while
some sailings are quick crossings others are longer journeys across
challenging seas often with potentially dangerous cargo in our care.
The priority on each and every sailing is the safety of all on board, it's why our
captains and crew are amongst the most highly trained in the industry. It's why
our ferries are fully compliant with maritime legislation, licensing and
certification requirement and is why our health and safety procedures are as
robust as they are rigorously monitored.
The result we're proud to say is an exemplary safety record
delivered with technical reliability and punctuality consistently in excess of
99%. As for the environment we sail between we are keen the region's unspoiled
beauty stays exactly that unspoiled. To help this we are complying with
international standards for pollution prevention, investing in newer greener
ferries to help cut our carbon footprint and reducing food miles through our commitment
to sourcing locally.It's this attention to every last detail that's won the
company a multitude of UK and Scottish accolades, these include awards for
customer service, safety and marketing and accreditations of our commitment to
locally sourced produce. The one accolade that means the most of all, however is the gold
standard accreditation of our customer care and contact centre teams it
recognises the quality of the customer experience we offer, it tells us our
ongoing improvements are making a real and lasting difference and it fuels our
ambition to continue leading the way in ferry travel for years to come