International cruise line
executives are inspecting
the nation’s key ports this
week to help decide where
to send ships in the future.
FOR the first time, Tourism Australia, Qantas
and Cruise Down Under (CDU) have joined
forces to showcase the highlights of every
state to cruising’s major decision-makers.
The contingent includes senior US and UK
representatives from Silversea, Seabourn,
Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean,
Celebrity Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines,
Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania/Prestige
Holdings.
One year in the planning, the concept of a
large-scale group familiarisation trip to
Australia was first floated at the Cruise
Shipping Miami conference.
CDU chairman Chris White told Cruise
Weekly they invited the world’s most
influential executives who are responsible for
deployment and itinerary decisions.
“They jumped at the idea of coming to
Australia,” she said.
“Our over-riding objective is to bring more
cruise ships to Australia and to ensure that
those ships call at both existing and new ports
and destinations.”
The week-long event commenced on Sunday
with a lunch hosted by Sydney Ports, followed
by an evening cocktail function at the Park
Hyatt, which was also attended by Minister for
Tourism Martin Ferguson.
The group has since fanned out across
country on separate tours of port facilities,
shore excursions and pre- and post-cruise
touring opportunities.
White said it was “quite a logistical exercise”
to host the eight executives.
“CDU partnered with Tourism Australia and
Qantas and it is this strong relationship that
has enabled the eight individually tailored
itineraries to be developed.
“The State and Territory tourism
organisations have been fantastic as they put
together amazing itineraries to demonstrate
the very best Australia has to offer.”
The “cruise VIPs” will return home this
weekend, White said.
