Shipping on Lake Superior has long been a mainstay of the Northland economy. But for the most part that economic impact has been all business. Now a new industry is emerging that could not only boost the shipping industry but help the tourism industry as well.

When the Luxury Cruise liner Clelia II pulled into port on the forth, it brought with it the results of years of hard work. The 100 passenger cruise originating out of Toronto was on its inaugural trip to the United States.

"Duluth and Toronto are fantastic destinations and there is a lot of great places in between and lots of things to see and do so we think the future for cruising is very bright," said Terry Mattson, president and CEO for Visit Duluth.

The Clelia II's arrival is the result of an effort started in the early 90's now known as the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition.
Up until the start of the group, cruising on the Great Lakes was virtually non-existent.

"It all died down as the roads got developed, the rail roads, air traffic, it pretty much died by the 60s," said Ron Johnson, trade development director for the Duluth Port Authority.

The network, made up of major ports and visitors bureaus around the Great Lakes, is pushing harder than ever to attract cruise ships.
Port Authority Officials say Duluth fits in the mix perfectly.

"We're one of the few cities where tourism and the port really mesh together," said Johnson.

That has helped bring in cruise ships like the German flagged C. Columbus in the past. But what made the Clelia II's arrival unique was that Duluth wasn't just another stop on its seven day journey, it served as both a drop off and pick up point.

"Some of those passengers will come into Duluth and spend a night or two before they get on board the ship and we're hoping some of the people getting off the ship will stay a night or two in Duluth before they leave," said Gene Shaw, public relations director for Visit Duluth.

Visit Duluth is working closely with the Port Authority to bring in more cruise ships like the Clelia two.

"Tourism has grown tremendously here and part of that are the water and ships and maritime business. It's natural; we have the working port," said Johnson.

"If we get two or three cruise lines coming in and more competition amongst them like the airlines, yeah, it'll be a boom to the economy of Duluth," said Shaw.

Tourism officials say the money would pour in once passengers step off the ship or prepare to board.

"They go to restaurants, short excursions, see some of the attractions we have," said Mary Nelson, director of package Travels for Visit Duluth.

Adding to Duluth's already 780 million dollar tourism industry every year. The cruises scheduled to tour the Great Lakes aren't your typical cruise liners either.

"They go to the Antarctic ,Amazon, these are well healed cruise expedition type people who want more than just laying around the pool and getting a sun tan. They want an experience; they want to see the world," said Johnson.

"Going to these different ports along the Great Lakes you get a sense of history, the copper mines, it was really incredible," said Shaw"

There's also the potential for future passenger ships to cruise by other points of interest on Lake Superior, like the Apostle Island lighthouses.
But officials say they can't get too far ahead of themselves.

"It's not going to be an overnight booming business realistically," Johnson said.

Saturday's visit of the Clelia II wasn't the last. The cruise ship will be back in the Twin Ports five more times this summer.

Thursday night at ten on the Northland's NewsCenter We'll look at the challenges of bringing the cruise ship industry into the Twin Ports.