Cairns confident of cruise success

Cairns confident of cruise success
By admin


Cairns is positioning itself to capitalise on rapid growth in the Australian cruise sector, with the destination confident improvements to infrastructure will see cruise lines adopt it as a regional base.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason told Travel Today that during Cruise Shipping Miami earlier this year, there had been considerable “excitement” from planners.

“They were asking where we are at with the widening of the channel here at Trinity Inlet,” he said. “They’re very excited about that.”

But Giason admitted it would be a long process, with approval yet to be granted for the project which aims to allow larger cruise ships to access Cairns.

The Queensland Government declared the proposal a “significant project” in September.

“It’s a planning and logistics exercise,” he said. “Once approval has been given and work starts, we need to keep them advised because it can take two to three years to reschedule ship visits.”

Giason highlighted a new $12 million cruise terminal, improved facilities and infrastructure, and a potential $35 million revamp of the CBD area as major draws for cruise operators.

Tourism operators in the area are also working hard to offer a range of shore tours for passengers, he added.

Meanwhile, cruise ship visits to Tropical North Queensland held steady at around 90 per year in 2012, divided between Cairns, Yorkeys Knob and Port Douglas, valued at around $18 million.

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