Their skills will be put to the test on Monday as the Century cruise ship drops anchor off Holyhead with around 1,750 passengers onboard.

Visiting cruise ships have this year alone brought more than 11,000 tourists through the Port of Holyhead and on to various Anglesey attractions.

Now cruise ship passengers and other tourists will have seven qualified ambassador guides at their disposal, offering services in and around Holyhead, either by way of coach or walking tours. They are extremely knowledgeable about the town and surrounding area, as well as its history, culture and attractions.

The Ambassador Programme has been supported by Isle of Anglesey County Council in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo and Institute of Tourist Guiding.

County Council Principal Tourism Officer, Gethin Morgan, explained, "Eleven cruise ships are calling into Holyhead this year, compared with only six in 2006. Holyhead now accounts for about two thirds of cruise ship passengers landing in Wales each year. This is clearly a vote of confidence in the area's tourism product, port facilities and welcome activities provided.

"By providing this additional new ambassadors' service we hope to build on Holyhead's growing success as a cruise ship destination."

Alan Cross and Suzanne O'Reilly from the Institute of Tourist Guiding have presented new Anglesey Ambassadors Richard Lord, Dilys Wyn Jones, Roy Nally, Gareth Roberts, Isobel J Kerry, Karen Newell and Annwen Francis with their Guiding Certificates.

Tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Hefin Thomas, added, "This is yet another example of the efforts being made to ensure the best possible visitor experience for the cruise ship market. We are pulling out all the stops here to ensure that Holyhead develops into the premier cruise ship destination in Wales.

"With our guides ensuring visitors have a more memorable experience, we'll be able to spread the word that Anglesey is the Island of Choice for the cruise ships market and our economy will hopefully benefit from return visits."