| ACA Update 21 Jan 16 : The way to travel

You know it’s going to be another
brilliant year for the cruise
industry when Selector magazine
writes: “When cruise ships parade
into the harbours of the world and
get fanfare normally reserved for
royalty, you know that cruising is
more than back in fashion – it is
the way to travel.”
Azamara Quest’s maiden
voyage to Australia is a great
example of how our industry
is rolling out the welcome mat
and offering immersion into a
destination. With stops in Sydney
and Melbourne, Quest was then
guest of honour at a Gala evening
in Hobart last night organised by
A&K and Karen Fraser Tourism
Professionals, both ACA members.
The ship was met by Premier
Hodgman & other dignitaries who
joined the Captain and pax as they
were treated to an “Azamazing”
experience by the Tasmanian
Police Pipe Band and the
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
during a cocktail function.
These events are offered by
Azamara to give guests a greater
insight into the ports they visit.
This is made possible with
itineraries featuring longer stays,
more overnights in port and late
night departures.
Opportunities to host pax at
such experiences will be one of the
themes at Seatrade Cruise Global
in Florida in Mar. 12 delegates
from ACA will head to this
important conference to showcase
the Australia & Pacific region
as a major world class base and
destination for cruise vessels. They
will also use this event to gather
content for programming the 20th
anniversary ACA conference.

CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association