THERE are “massive concerns” in Geraldton over the lack of cruise ship calls in the coming few years (CW 30 Jul), as local tourism operators face massive wipeouts of their business, says David O’Malley, CEO of the region’s DMO, Australia’s Coral Coast.
O’Malley told CW the upcoming call of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ Scenic Eclipse II is much welcomed by the community.
The ship’s arrival is set to precede a two-year gap in Geraldton’s cruise schedule.
Visits from ships such as Eclipse II benefit towns as far away as Dongara and Kalbarri (64km and 155km from Geraldton respectively), O’Malley said.
Cruise brings much-needed business to local transport and tourism operators, he explained, which is set to dry up across the next two years.
“It’s really good business, it’s really important for them, but they notice the decline in their business when the ships aren’t coming in,” he told CW.
“Because they’re generally higher-value travellers, the ships are really good for that retail component, it really gives them a boost as well.
“A lot of time and effort has gone into cruise ships over the years in Geraldton, and when they lose them, it’s really disappointing,” he added.
O’Malley also emphasised the return visitation and dispersal effect that cruise has on Geraldton and the Coral Coast.
Many travellers who first visit the destination on a cruise ship come back later, often as drive tourists, he said.
“It’s a massive injection into the local economy,” O’Malley added.
“They’ll actually come back and travel the entire length of the region, which is perfect, so [there are] a lot of ongoing benefits from cruise ships that are not just on the day.
“We’re exposing the likes of Geraldton, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, to a market that wouldn’t necessarily come our way.”
O’Malley hopes the arrival of international cruise ship executives brought to WA by the Australian Cruise Association Conference in Sep will offer the Coral Coast the opportunity to showcase its tourism product to the right people (CW 23 Jul).
“Actually getting the decision-makers from the various cruise lines up to Geraldton…you can’t underestimate the value of somebody actually seeing what you’re talking about,” he said.
Twelve cruise ship calls to Geraldton have been cancelled of late, due to itinerary changes, withdrawals, and more. MS