CRUISE HUNTER MOVES TO CORPORATION

Source: Newcastle Port Corporation

Management of the highly successful regional enterprise, Cruise Hunter, has relocated to Newcastle Port Corporation to allow further development of the niche market. 

Member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, said the re-location from Newcastle City Council would result in improved synergy between port operations and the marketing of Newcastle as a cruise and naval destination.

This is great news for Newcastle the relocation is timed to coincide with the start of the 2007-08 summer cruise season and well see six cruise ships visiting Newcastle by March next year, Ms McKay said.

Cruise Hunter was established following a study in 2001 that revealed the Port of Newcastle to be a viable cruise and naval destination.

Each visit by a large cruise ship such as the Mercury, which is sailing into port on Friday the 21st with 2000 passengers, contributes close to $500,000 to the Hunter.

The NSW Government, through Newcastle Port Corporation, has been a major sponsor of the initiative, along with Newcastle City Council, Maitland City Council, Honeysuckle Development Corporation and Hunter Tourism, Ms McKay said.

CEO of Newcastle Port Corporation Gary Webb has welcomed Cruise Hunter to the corporation.

I look forward to the opportunity of continuing to work with the Advisory Committee which represents the sponsoring organisations," said Mr Webb.

Cruise Hunter has established a solid reputation in its short time, and we will focus on plans to improve Newcastle as a destination port through smart strategic planning.

While Australias cruise industry is a relatively small component globally, it is a major contributor to the economy and we believe we can increase the number of visits by both cruise and naval vessels to Newcastle, he said.

Cruise liners visiting Newcastle include the Mercury on Friday with return calls on 18 January and 15 February next year. The Silver Whisper will sail into port for its inaugural visit on 2 February while the Albatros will also make Newcastle its first port of call on 8 March.

Posted by Admin on December 19th, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Posted under: Travel