Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) today launched its 2008 Explore brochure at the Royal National Mod in Fort William (Thursday 18 October). Explore 2008 is CalMac’s main leisure brochure and an essential planning tool for everyone interested in travelling to the 24 destinations off Scotland’s west coast that form the CalMac network.

Susan Paterson, Caledonian MacBrayne’s Marketing Manager said at the launch: “This year we have again included suggestions for things to see and do in each of the islands and communities we serve. This was a very popular feature of last year’s brochure, and customers have told us they found this approach particularly useful when planning their trip. This year also sees record numbers of accommodation establishments advertising in Explore, as well as on calmac.co.uk. It’s been another great year for our website, and we are now regularly seeing more than one million page impressions each month, which is an indication of the increasing importance of this channel as a means of communicating with our customers.”

The launch of Explore also coincides with the launch of new free-phone numbers for Reservations and Service Information. Customers can now dial the Reservations line on 08000 66 5000, while the Service Information number has changed to 08000 66 5400. Commenting on this change, Susan Paterson said: “CalMac’s intention is to provide a first-class service to its customers. Both of these key telephone numbers are now free-of-charge to all our UK customers.”

Visitors to the Royal National Mod in Fort William, and in particular the audience at the prestigious Gold Medal Finals, were first to view the free 2008 brochure. The 2008 Explore brochure includes CalMac’s timetables from 21 October 2007 to 20 March 2008 (winter) and 21 March 2008 to 18 October 2008 (summer) and a selection of accommodation advertisements. It also includes information on the new Gaelic Rings marketing initiative, based on CalMac’s Hopscotch tickets. There will be a further announcement about this particular project at the Royal National Mod tomorrow (Friday). Copies can also now be ordered online at www.calmac.co.uk Copies of CalMac’s winter timetables for 2007, which start on October 21 are also now available from ports, offices and on ships.

Ends.

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Communications Director, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited

Issued: Thursday, October 18, 2007 : 1000