TWO Canadian bank workers made a special ‘cheque’ in as they became the landmark 100,000th cruise ship passengers to visit Greenock this year.

Paul and Anita Wong were delighted to be presented with a certificate, a bottle of malt whisky and shortbread as they disembarked from the Regal Princess at the Ocean Terminal yesterday.

The milestone moment also put Greenock on the map, as this is the first time a Scottish port has welcomed 100,000 holidaymakers in one year.

Paul, 57, told the Tele: “It’s our first time in Scotland, we’ve always wanted to come here.

“I did some research on Greenock online before we came and I thought it looked quite historical.

“We’ll have a walk around the town.” His wife Anita, 59, added: “Being the 100,000th passengers definitely made the trip extra special. It’s a nice surprise.” The pair, who work in the finance sector in Ontario, have two children — Hayley, 24, and Kevin, 21.

Paul says that Kevin will enjoy a tipple of the Glengoyne Highland single malt whisky his parents picked up for being the milestone-meeting tourists.

He said: “My son adores whisky!” Andrew Hemphill, port director at Peel Ports, welcomed the special visitors to Greenock and presented their gifts.

He was joined by Steven Watson, the president of Greenock Chamber of Commerce, and members of Inverclyde Tourist Group.

Mr Hemphill said: “This is a fantastic achievement. We’re the first port in Scotland to welcome 100,000 cruise passengers in a single year.

“As Greenock Ocean Terminal achieves its projected 108,866 visitors this year, it will bring an estimated £8.7 million to the local economy.

“We were also voted best port in the UK by the online guide Cruise Critic this year.

“We push out the welcome to visitors and we can take big ships alongside.

“Research shows that each passenger contributed £80 to the area.

“It really puts Greenock on the map, there’s something fantastic about the town having these ships visiting.” Mr Hemphill also revealed that things are already looking shipshape for the port in 2016.

He said: “It looks like another potentially record year.” Business boss Mr Watson believes the record number of tourists coming to Inverclyde on board cruise vessels has a positive impact on the way people think about the district. He said: “It boosts up the economy and it lifts the aspirations of the local area.

“It brings opportunities for local businesses to be on the world map.

“Being a global powerhouse is part of Inverclyde’s heritage, and it’s wonderful to see the area back on the global stage.”