THE government investment of over 12 million dollars into the Newcastle Cruise Ship Terminal is good news for the Bay.

While we will not be seeing the Queen Mary sail through between Tomaree and Yacaaba heads anytime soon, large liners will be sailing past and docking in Newcastle.

With this comes the opportunity for Port Stephens to sell itself to the cruise ships’ passengers.

Royal Caribbean’s vessel Explorer of Seas will call into Newcastle’s Port in February 2019 carrying 3,900 passengers per visit.

Most passengers disembark to explore the regions around the Port and that spells a big opportunity for Port Stephens and the wider Hunter.

Council’s Port Stephens Economic Profile says that the cruise ship terminal will increase international visitors and day trippers by an estimated 14.5 percent, which is good news for Port Stephens tourism businesses and their employees.

Janelle Gardner, Council’s Tourism and Events Coordinator told News Of The Area that Destination Port Stephens and Port Stephens Council work closely with Cruise Hunter to leverage opportunities for day tours to Port Stephens, while individual business operators have already developed partnerships with various cruise tour providers.

“As the cruise market grows, so too will the opportunities for additional businesses in Port Stephens.”

“Destination Port Stephens will continue to pursue these opportunities on behalf of Port Stephens and update industry as they arise,” she said.

 

By Marian SAMPSON