MORE cruise ships are visiting Australia than ever before and this week is no exception, with Sydney taking the focus as P&O Cruises’ expanded five-ship fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour yesterday. However it is the homeporting of P&O’s fleet around Australia that is the real news as it will benefit...
MORE cruise ships are visiting
Australia than ever before and this
week is no exception, with Sydney
taking the focus as P&O Cruises’
expanded five-ship fleet sailed into
Sydney Harbour yesterday.
However it is the homeporting
of P&O’s fleet around Australia
that is the real news as it will
benefit Australian travellers and
also provide increased revenue
for the tourism infrastructure that
supports the ships when they dock.
Pacific Eden will be home ported
in Fremantle, while Pacific Aria
will operate turnaround itineraries
using Brisbane as her hub. Pacific
Jewel meanwhile will have
Melbourne as her home port from
December for three months.
This means cruise passengers
will have more choice when it
comes to looking at departure
cities. But the real story is the
strong economic benefit for the
tourism industry overall.
The economic impact of a ship
turnaround is worth so much more
to a destination than a transit visit,
so the dispersion of the resulting
financial benefits to state and
regional tourism organisations,
port authorities, providores, tour
companies, and attractions –
many of whom are members of
Australian Cruise Association – is
so much greater.
The buzz and publicity
surrounding P&O Cruises’ five-ship
spectacular in Sydney Harbour has
generated a lot of attention this
week, which can only be good for
the Australian cruising industry –
and of course, our members!
CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association
