The famil, organised by Tourism Queensland and Abercombie and Kent, is taking an RCCL representative on a tour of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland.
“This visit is a huge coup given the international exposure for Queensland and global reputation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines,” Hayes said.
“Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is a world-recognised cruise company with a fleet of 20 ships and a fleet capacity of 51,468. Its ships visit destinations such as Alaska, Asia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and South America. This famil is allowing the cruise line to film and eventually showcase to its passengers some of the fantastic experiences Queensland has to offer and hopefully entice them to book a cruise to the Sunshine State.
“I understand four of the company’s cruise ships will visit Australia next year which will allow approximately 40,000 passengers to collectively make 20 port visits in Queensland.”
Hayes said that while in Brisbane, the RCCL rep would cruise the Brisbane River and visit a local wildlife sanctuary.
“They will also taste some Brisbane cuisine when they visit the new restaurant precinct at South Bank and do some wine tasting in the Greater Brisbane region,” he said.
“They will visit a zoo on the Sunshine Coast, take in the art and craft delights of the Gold Coast hinterland and stop into Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. They will then head to Tropical North Queensland where they will experience the iconic Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest and local Indigenous culture.
“All this will be captured on film which will then be displayed onboard all Royal Caribbean Cruise vessels visiting Australia next year.”
Tourism Queensland has increased its focus on the cruise industry in response to the continuous growth the cruise market has experienced in recent years.
Between 2010 and 2011 cruise shipping generated an estimated AUD368 million in Queensland. During the same year, 328,863 passengers visited Queensland ports, an increase of 2.8% compared to 319,761 passengers the previous year.
Hayes said following the familiarisation Tourism Queensland would hold a number of ‘Cruise Market’ industry workshops in mid-May and throughout June.
“These workshops will provide local operators with the fundamentals about the cruise market and explain the benefits of the market,” he said.
A list of locations and dates for the workshops are detailed below:
Cairns – 9:30am-1:00pm, Friday 11 May at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
Brisbane – 10:00am-1.30pm, Monday 4 June at Moda Events Portside
Gold Coast – 9:00am-12:30pm, Tuesday 5 June at Southport Yacht Club
Whitsundays – 8:45am-12:30pm, Wednesday 13 June at Peppers Coral Coast Resort, Airlie Beach
Queensland Gets Exposed to 40,000 Cruise Passengers
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