Four people have welcomed more than 11,500 cruise passengers to Dover so far this year, more than 50 per cent up on last year’s figures.

On their busiest day. the Visit Kent Cruise Welcome staff had 1,300 people stop off at their desk at the cruise terminal asking for information on the top destinations to visit in the area.

Crew members from the cruise ships are also catered for and receive a warmer welcome at Dover than at any other port in the UK.

They are invited to pick up a unique crew pass which offers them free entry to a range of attractions.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent, said: "We are very proud of the professional and dedicated Cruise Welcome staff who add value to passengers’ and crew members’ experience arriving at Dover.

"We are keen to build on this success and have helped train more Blue Badge Tourist Guides who can all speak a foreign language, to help meet the increased demand from the new ships."

Kate O’Hara, head of commercial and marketing at the Port of Dover, said: "The UK cruise business is blossoming, catering for hundreds of thousands of cruise enthusiasts each year.

"Dover Cruise Terminal is continuing to encourage this growth in popularity with holidays to suit all taste and budgets."