Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles has unveiled a new Cruise Sector Activation Plan aimed at continuing to lure greater numbers of cruise ships.
The plan covers the period from 2015-2020 and is now open for community consultation, with three key areas of focus.
The Territory will be looking to entice cruise lines to establish a base in Darwin with a view to beginning voyages from the city, working to ensure infrastructure is up to scratch and ensuring pax & crew have opportunities to explore the local area, meet locals and return to visit in the future.
Cruising contributed more than $54 million to the NT economy in 2014 through 38 ship visits, more than triple that of ten years prior.
“I’m hugely excited about the future of this sector in the Territory and about the record cruise ship week that’s just around the corner,” Giles said.
MEANWHILE, Tourism NT is ramping up for a big week of cruise arrivals kicking off next Mon in which six ships are expected to bring in some 11,500 pax to Darwin over five days.
Port of Darwin will welcome P&O Arcadia on Mon, followed by Queen Mary 2 (03 Mar), L’Austral (04 Mar), Celebrity Solstice (05 Mar) and Seabourn Odyssey & Radiance of the Seas on 06 Mar.
Tourism NT has teamed with Tourism Top End, City of Darwin, Darwin & Waterfront Retailers Association and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to hold a series of special events & activities as ‘Darwin Cruise Week’.
Pop-up markets, musical events and shopping discounts will be available for passengers not already pre-booked on a shore excursion outside the city.
