Published Monday, 24 December, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Cooktown to welcome new cruise ship
Cooktown will welcome its largest cruise ship early next year, in a move that highlights the growing popularity of Queensland as a cruise destination, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said.
Ms Boyle said Princess Cruises’ decision to send the 77,000-ton superliner Sun Princess to Cooktown from April 2008 was tremendous news for the tropical north’ tourism industry.
“Cairns is already one of Queensland’s most popular cruise destinations. The addition of Cooktown to Sun Princess’s itinerary is exciting in itself and further established the region as an international cruising destination,” Ms Boyle said.
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien welcomed the news.
“This will be the first time Cooktown has been included in the itinerary for a cruise ship of this size,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The maiden call to Cooktown will be on 13 April 2008 with an additional five calls set for the following 18 months.
“Each call is expected to deliver close to 2000 domestic and international tourists to the region, equating to a total economic impact of around $5 million.”
Ms Boyle congratulated both government and industry for their joint efforts in bringing the Sun Princess to Cooktown.
“It is great that Princess Cruises will add Cooktown to its 2008-09 itineraries and I congratulate Tourism Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Cook Shire Council for their hard work in making this happen,” she said.
“This success would not have been possible without the support of both government and industry and the collaborative effort is a credit to those involved.
“This is exciting news for the Cooktown community.”
It follows a recent announcement by Princess Cruises that two new ships will make inaugural calls to Queensland in the 2008-09 season, boutique sister ships Tahitian Princess and Royal Princess.
“Both will call to Brisbane and Cairns in February 2009 as part of new 107-night world voyages from Florida to Europe, with the visits representing the first time Princess Cruises has offered two world cruises aboard the 670-passenger liners.
Ms Boyle said cruising was a crucial tourism sector in Queensland.
“Queensland is Australia’s second largest cruise shipping market behind New South Wales, with the industry generating an estimated $132 million in Queensland in 2006-07, up from $100 million in 2005-06,” she said.
“Across the world, cruising is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors, estimated globally to be worth $40 billion a year.
“This announcement highlights the work done by Tourism Queensland with Princess Cruises, both in Queensland and at this year’s Seatrade cruise convention in Miami.”
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates Princess Cruises, said the decision to include Cooktown as a feature destination for Sun Princess was an easy one.
“Cooktown has always been a community with strong connections with the sea and seafaring,” Ms Sherry said.
“Our premium cruise passengers will delight in the opportunity to sail to this spectacular gateway to Cape York, steeped in nautical history.
“Not only will the Sun Princess set a new record by becoming the largest cruise ship to visit northern Queensland, she’ll also set a new standard for cruising in Australia by offering a premium cruise experience for Australians year-round.
“Interest in premium cruising has never been so great, and the permanent deployment of the Sun Princess in Australia is testimony to the strong growth of the Australian cruise market,” Ms Sherry said.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister’s office: 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
24 December 2007
Ms Boyle said Princess Cruises’ decision to send the 77,000-ton superliner Sun Princess to Cooktown from April 2008 was tremendous news for the tropical north’ tourism industry.
“Cairns is already one of Queensland’s most popular cruise destinations. The addition of Cooktown to Sun Princess’s itinerary is exciting in itself and further established the region as an international cruising destination,” Ms Boyle said.
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien welcomed the news.
“This will be the first time Cooktown has been included in the itinerary for a cruise ship of this size,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The maiden call to Cooktown will be on 13 April 2008 with an additional five calls set for the following 18 months.
“Each call is expected to deliver close to 2000 domestic and international tourists to the region, equating to a total economic impact of around $5 million.”
Ms Boyle congratulated both government and industry for their joint efforts in bringing the Sun Princess to Cooktown.
“It is great that Princess Cruises will add Cooktown to its 2008-09 itineraries and I congratulate Tourism Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Cook Shire Council for their hard work in making this happen,” she said.
“This success would not have been possible without the support of both government and industry and the collaborative effort is a credit to those involved.
“This is exciting news for the Cooktown community.”
It follows a recent announcement by Princess Cruises that two new ships will make inaugural calls to Queensland in the 2008-09 season, boutique sister ships Tahitian Princess and Royal Princess.
“Both will call to Brisbane and Cairns in February 2009 as part of new 107-night world voyages from Florida to Europe, with the visits representing the first time Princess Cruises has offered two world cruises aboard the 670-passenger liners.
Ms Boyle said cruising was a crucial tourism sector in Queensland.
“Queensland is Australia’s second largest cruise shipping market behind New South Wales, with the industry generating an estimated $132 million in Queensland in 2006-07, up from $100 million in 2005-06,” she said.
“Across the world, cruising is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors, estimated globally to be worth $40 billion a year.
“This announcement highlights the work done by Tourism Queensland with Princess Cruises, both in Queensland and at this year’s Seatrade cruise convention in Miami.”
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates Princess Cruises, said the decision to include Cooktown as a feature destination for Sun Princess was an easy one.
“Cooktown has always been a community with strong connections with the sea and seafaring,” Ms Sherry said.
“Our premium cruise passengers will delight in the opportunity to sail to this spectacular gateway to Cape York, steeped in nautical history.
“Not only will the Sun Princess set a new record by becoming the largest cruise ship to visit northern Queensland, she’ll also set a new standard for cruising in Australia by offering a premium cruise experience for Australians year-round.
“Interest in premium cruising has never been so great, and the permanent deployment of the Sun Princess in Australia is testimony to the strong growth of the Australian cruise market,” Ms Sherry said.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister’s office: 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
24 December 2007