Mr BALCH - 1998-12-02
My question follows on from what the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development has just told the House about the government’s new cruise ship terminal at Stokes Hill Wharf. He mentioned that workers will be working through the Christmas period so the terminal can be ready for a number of cruise liners. Does the Minister for Tourism have precise information on the number of cruise ships Darwin and the tourism industry can expect next year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a good question. It comes at a time when tourism is beginning to grow and flourish in the Territory whereas in other jurisdictions it is declining, particularly in the international area.
By the end of this year, Darwin will have hosted 18 cruise liner visits, including 5 maiden visits. Darwin has become the preferred change-over port for the Coral Princess and already 14 luxury cruise ships have booked in for visits in 1999, including another 5 maiden visits. Significantly, during next year we will see the first series of visits from the big European cruise liner Norwegian Star, which has made Darwin part of its regular itinerary.
Later today, I will launch the Northern Territory government’s Darwin cruise ship strategy on Stokes Hill Wharf. I will be joined there by my colleague the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development, Barry Coulter. This strategy has been widely circulated to cruise operators and others involved in the cruise industry. It has been well received and will guide the industry over the next 3 years. It will also complement the construction at a cost of $1.3m of the new cruise terminal, which will be completed in the new year and has been already referred to by my colleague.
This strategy has been prepared by the Northern Territory Tourist Commission with input from the Darwin Cruise Ship Committee comprising the Department of Transport and Works, the Port Authority and cruise consultant Ms Lyn Adrian. The aim is to have Darwin positioned as a fly-cruise base, with the added advantage of increased airline and hotel patronage, and ultimately to have a cruise-hub role. The strategy recognises that the keys to attracting increased cruise liner visits are the facilities offered at the Port of Darwin, the attractiveness of the destination - that being the Top End - and suitable ground-tour product. The strategy builds on the strong reputation the Port of Darwin has established as a friendly and efficient stopover for the new generation of cruise ships.
This is a good-news story, one that the tourism industry has been eagerly awaiting. I table for the information of members a copy of the Darwin cruise ship strategy which I will be launching at lunchtime today ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... on Stokes Hill Wharf. I didn’t even pick up the nonsensical interjection from the member for Wanguri who really just can’t help himself. He is a loser.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a good question. It comes at a time when tourism is beginning to grow and flourish in the Territory whereas in other jurisdictions it is declining, particularly in the international area.
By the end of this year, Darwin will have hosted 18 cruise liner visits, including 5 maiden visits. Darwin has become the preferred change-over port for the Coral Princess and already 14 luxury cruise ships have booked in for visits in 1999, including another 5 maiden visits. Significantly, during next year we will see the first series of visits from the big European cruise liner Norwegian Star, which has made Darwin part of its regular itinerary.
Later today, I will launch the Northern Territory government’s Darwin cruise ship strategy on Stokes Hill Wharf. I will be joined there by my colleague the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development, Barry Coulter. This strategy has been widely circulated to cruise operators and others involved in the cruise industry. It has been well received and will guide the industry over the next 3 years. It will also complement the construction at a cost of $1.3m of the new cruise terminal, which will be completed in the new year and has been already referred to by my colleague.
This strategy has been prepared by the Northern Territory Tourist Commission with input from the Darwin Cruise Ship Committee comprising the Department of Transport and Works, the Port Authority and cruise consultant Ms Lyn Adrian. The aim is to have Darwin positioned as a fly-cruise base, with the added advantage of increased airline and hotel patronage, and ultimately to have a cruise-hub role. The strategy recognises that the keys to attracting increased cruise liner visits are the facilities offered at the Port of Darwin, the attractiveness of the destination - that being the Top End - and suitable ground-tour product. The strategy builds on the strong reputation the Port of Darwin has established as a friendly and efficient stopover for the new generation of cruise ships.
This is a good-news story, one that the tourism industry has been eagerly awaiting. I table for the information of members a copy of the Darwin cruise ship strategy which I will be launching at lunchtime today ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... on Stokes Hill Wharf. I didn’t even pick up the nonsensical interjection from the member for Wanguri who really just can’t help himself. He is a loser.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016