Thursday, October 24, 2024

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

All Aboard! Mackay Isaac’s Cruise Strategy Launch Steals The Show

In the company of over 150 industry professionals, Mackay Isaac Tourism Acting Chair Rob Cocco and fellow Board Director Al Grundy took the opportunity to launch MIT’s Cruise Ship Strategy.

Recognising the potential at the Port of Mackay, MIT have set out to position Mackay as an attractive cruise ship destination through effective marketing, relationships, capacity building and promotional initiatives.

MIT Acting Chair Rob Cocco said the MIT Cruise Ship Strategy aims to delineate a comprehensive plan for the Mackay region to embrace cruise ships and facilitate day shore excursions.

“The goal is to leverage the Port of Mackay’s proximity to a wharf within the harbour and semi-diurnal tide conditions, offering 12 hours of shore time for passengers on ships of up to 230 metres”, Mr Cocco said.

“We have a good balance of paid versus free indoor and outdoor product, which is a positive driver of increased visitor dispersal and expenditure, putting Mackay in a competitive position compared to some similar regional cruise destinations”.

MIT Board Director Al Grundy added that there were several drivers to developing the MIT Cruise Ship Strategy.

“The estimated national economic impacts generated by cruise tourism expenditure, converted to cruise tourism output, in Australia between 2022 and 2023 had a total value-added impact of $2.94 billion, including a direct impact of $1.32 billion”, Mr Grundy said.

“This influx of tourist spending is expected to stimulate business activity, create job opportunities, and generate revenue for local businesses, suppliers, and providers.

“Existing operators can both improve their product development and delivery for cruise passengers as well as other visitors to the region.

“We also expect to see an increase in the sense of community pride and engagement among local residents”.

The Cruise Ship Strategy has been made possible through funding support from the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and strategy funding partners North Queensland Bulk Ports and Regional Development Australia.

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