A record number of cruise ships are booked to sail into Fort William in 2019, as year-on-year the number of boats visiting increase.
But, the Fort William Marina and Shoreline Company (FWMSC) says the facilities for passengers can still be improved to make the welcome to the Highlands even better.
FWMSC hopes funding can be found to improve facilities at the west end of the town for 2019.
Director Sarah Kennedy, said: “In 2016, when we started, we welcomed one cruise ship. This year we had five ships. Next year we are looking at 13 ships that have booked already.
“We want to expand the Fort William pontoons quite significantly to allow for more passengers to step ashore, as well as providing short stay berths for yachts, cruisers and even the seaplane.
“We want to put the quality of visit above the quantity of visitors to make sure everyone who comes to the area has a superb visit. At the moment we can accommodate the visitors we have – but if we want to grow and expand the visitors we will need to think about how we bring people into the town.
“Instead of people looking inwards to the town, a 14-berth short stay marina with a fixed berth for cruise ships to pull into, will flip the town, everyone will want to see what is happening on the sea front.”
Fellow director James Kennedy said the long-term plans for the marina would make use of rocks being taken out of the hillside for the hydro development at Corrie Glas to build a walkway and pontoon for large vessels to pull alongside.
He said: “There is nowhere suitable for cruise ships to pull alongside in the area. Our plans will revolutionise what can come to the area. It will have a benefit for everyone in the area.”
Mr and Mrs Kennedy want to see “significant” focus placed on the charitable group’s work and bring the required investment into the town.
Nine of the vessels will be making their first visit to the town next year.
In 2020 eight ships have already booked a visit and one has already reserved the berth for 2021.