Sarnia's Mayor and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton (TSL) agree that more needs to be done to make the area a destination for cruise ships.
Nine have passed through the Great Lakes so far this year, but they haven't been able to stop here due to logistical reasons.
Mike Bradley has sent a letter to TSL, asking the organization what efforts are being made for 2024 to market and attract the ships to the community.
He said there was a big push back in 2017 but that was snarled due to the pandemic.
"They like to be in Detroit-Windsor and then they can go up to Mackinac or Alpena, Michigan, wherever they need to go next for their passengers, and they like to travel at night," said Bradley. "That's been one of the challenges. I think it's time we take another run at it. We've got a great harbour and so many things to do in the community. I'm asking TSL what their plan is for 2024."
Bradley said a cruise ship has come here in the past, but our harbour lacks the necessary permanent infrastructure to make it a common occurrence.
"We do have a lot to offer," he said. "We're the largest city on Lake Huron and we have this great harbour. Between Sarnia, Port Huron and the county, I think we could come up with some real destination places for the tourists to go when they come into the community. We've got our First Nations culture, different things like Petrolia Discovery and the Oil Museum and the other amenities as you go to Lambton Shores with the golf and the beaches and all of that."
TSL Executive Director Mark Perrin said they've been actively trying to entice cruise ships to Sarnia-Lambton. He said they've been in talks with Viking Cruise Lines and a couple of others.
"The biggest challenge for them is actually the infrastructure at the City of Sarnia dock," said Perrin. "I think it's something that if we can work with the city and create the needed infrastructure to attract the cruise ships, it could be something that's on their radar to have a stop here and have a port in Sarnia."
Perrin said the number one reason to attract more visitors is the economic impacts. Events like Silver Stick generate millions for the local economy.
"We know that if more visitors come, it's going to create that economic impact between hotel stays, restaurants and shopping," he said. "It'll really provide a local business boom anytime we can bring in hundreds or thousands of people. The cruise ships are a great example but also just having other things in the city going on."
He said they've already taken a proactive approach by putting in a Hotel Accommodation Tax.
"We're happy to talk with Mayor Bradley and his staff and really see if funds being raised through that tax can be spent on these tourism infrastructure developments. That could be bringing cruise ships in or things to other facilities around the city. That's really what we need to further promote, market and bring more people and things to Sarnia."
TSL will report back with some ideas to Sarnia council at a later date.