Cruise guests disembarking in the port of Aarhus will from now on, as the only place in Europe, get a warm welcome by a team of volunteering local hosts. The hosts are to welcome tourists and contribute to making the culture-wheels spin in Denmark’s second city.
1,300 Aarhus residents have volunteered as hosts for the many guests traveling to Aarhus. With wide smiles, blue t-shirts and “ASK ME”-badgets, the hosts will welcome cruise passengers in the port, show them around the city and assist at concerts, festivals and other cultural events. In this way, the volunteered will actively support the significant growth of tourism that Aarhus has experienced since 2011.
A couple of years ago the increasing international interest in Aarhus created the need for the establishment of the voluntary group ReThinkers. ReThinkers contributed to handle the large number of tourists coming to Aarhus as a result of the city being the European Capital of Culture in 2017. But the growth continues into 2018 – and with a donation from the Salling Funds, ReThinkers can now continue to grow as well:
“We are extremly happy that 1,300 locals have said yes to continue volunteering as hosts for the city’s guests. Not only because it is a good story and strengthens a good guest experience – but also because it demonstrates the unique unity and dedication we have created in Aarhus. We have a reputation of doing things in our own way and ReThinkers is a perfect example of this,” says Director of VisitAarhus, Peer Kristensen.
The initiative in Aarhus is the only one of its kind in Europe, as volunteer teams traditionally are recruited in connection with special events. Globally, there are similar city-based volunteer efforts in Vancouver and Melbourne, but with far fewer volunteers. The fact that 1,300 locals are ready to welcome guests in Aarhus all year round and completely without payment is therefore unique.
“Since 2010 Aarhus has evovled considerably as a cruise destination. In 2010 only two cruise ships and 4,300 guests called in Aarhus. This year, the number of cruise ships is expected to be 41 and the guest number to increase to almost 100,000. ReThinkers assist in ensuring a positive development for Aarhus as a cruise destination as they, in addition to cultural experiences, beaches and beautiful nature, provide guests arriving in Aarhus with an authentic and personalized service and welcome from the local community,” says Chief Commercial Officer for Port of Aarhus, Nicolai Krøyer.
