Ms SACILOTTO - 2008-02-20
Can you update the House on the increasing number of cruise ship tourists visiting the Top End and the Northern Territory government’s efforts to attract more cruise ships to Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am very pleased to report that, in 2007, we saw a record number of cruise ship passengers in Darwin. Thirty-seven cruise ships brought 17 012 passengers to Darwin. That compares with about 10 700 in 2006. In addition, we saw crew numbers increasing from 6011 in 2006 to 9100 in 2007. The direct/indirect economic contribution of the cruise ships arriving in Darwin is around $80m nett for 2006-07. In addition to that, it is supporting around 85 jobs. The cruise industry has a significant flow-on effect for the broader Northern Territory economy. It is not only the shops in the mall that benefit, but also the tour operators, taxis, restaurants and souvenir shops. Everybody is actually a target for people who have been stuck on a ship for three or four days, and when they are let loose in a town like Darwin to spend their money, they spend like it has gone out of fashion.
On Monday, we saw the cruise ship Nautica carrying 700 passengers and, on Friday, we will see the Astoria with another 600 passengers. In March, we are expecting five more cruise ships with 6000 passengers arriving in Darwin. Let us not forget we have the Orion and the Coral Princess which operate from Darwin during the Dry Season.
The Territory government, through Tourism NT and the Port Corporation are working very closely with tourism operators, the council and cruise companies to ensure that Darwin remains focused for the cruise ship industry. It is a very fluctuating industry and that is why we are focusing on them and want to bring them here.
The new Darwin cruise ship terminal, worth $5m, this year will help us attract even more cruise ships to Darwin by providing better passenger facilities and a better welcome to Darwin. One of the comments I hear from people on cruise ships and cruise ship operators is that Darwin is now a very beautiful tropical city. They actually like coming here and they cannot wait until the terminal and the waterfront are finished. It will be one of the most beautiful entry points in our city.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am very pleased to report that, in 2007, we saw a record number of cruise ship passengers in Darwin. Thirty-seven cruise ships brought 17 012 passengers to Darwin. That compares with about 10 700 in 2006. In addition, we saw crew numbers increasing from 6011 in 2006 to 9100 in 2007. The direct/indirect economic contribution of the cruise ships arriving in Darwin is around $80m nett for 2006-07. In addition to that, it is supporting around 85 jobs. The cruise industry has a significant flow-on effect for the broader Northern Territory economy. It is not only the shops in the mall that benefit, but also the tour operators, taxis, restaurants and souvenir shops. Everybody is actually a target for people who have been stuck on a ship for three or four days, and when they are let loose in a town like Darwin to spend their money, they spend like it has gone out of fashion.
On Monday, we saw the cruise ship Nautica carrying 700 passengers and, on Friday, we will see the Astoria with another 600 passengers. In March, we are expecting five more cruise ships with 6000 passengers arriving in Darwin. Let us not forget we have the Orion and the Coral Princess which operate from Darwin during the Dry Season.
The Territory government, through Tourism NT and the Port Corporation are working very closely with tourism operators, the council and cruise companies to ensure that Darwin remains focused for the cruise ship industry. It is a very fluctuating industry and that is why we are focusing on them and want to bring them here.
The new Darwin cruise ship terminal, worth $5m, this year will help us attract even more cruise ships to Darwin by providing better passenger facilities and a better welcome to Darwin. One of the comments I hear from people on cruise ships and cruise ship operators is that Darwin is now a very beautiful tropical city. They actually like coming here and they cannot wait until the terminal and the waterfront are finished. It will be one of the most beautiful entry points in our city.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016