| ACA update 9 Feb 17: A Right Royal Celebration

HOT on the heels of the celebration
for Queen Elizabeth II’s Sapphire
Anniversary, ACA members around
Australia are getting ready to
welcome another royal, the famed
Queen Mary 2.
Carrying over 2,600 passengers and
1,200 crew, the QM2 will arrive in
Australia as part of her round trip
journey from New York for three
weeks in mid-Feb touching shore 12
times in six states.
Port authorities, STOs and ground
handlers have been gearing up to
celebrate the arrival of this regal
luxury liner which was fully redesigned
in 2016.
Her visit to Australia this year
marks an important milestone for
our cruise industry. Along with
stops in most of our capital cities,
she will be doing a sail past at
Wilsons Promontory for the first
time and conducting maiden visits
to Hobart, Port Arthur, Busselton
and Kangaroo Island each of
which provides passengers with an
opportunity to gain an insight into
lesser known parts of our country.
These communities are rolling out
the red carpet well aware of the
important economic contribution
cruise visits make to destinations.
For example, live music, a choir
and band will greet passengers
when QM2 arrives in Busselton
with city retailers offering cruise
day specials. On Kangaroo Island,
a plaque presentation by the SA
Tourism Minister will be followed
by local entertainment and wildlife
displays.
Attracting one of the most
renowned ocean liners in the world
to our region for this period of time
is a testament to the increased
recognition of Australia as a world
class cruise destination.

CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association