Cruise Down Under welcomes the announcement by Tasports that it will develop Macquarie Shed No 2 in Hobart as a dedicated cruise and Antarctic facility.
"The port of Hobart has long been a popular cruise destination and the government, business and the local community have a reputation for supporting and welcoming visiting cruise ships, however existing infrastructure facilities are limited," General Manager Jill Abel said.
"Hobart remains an integral link between Australia and New Zealand for itinerary planning and with the increase in number and size of cruise ships operating in Australia over the coming seasons, Hobart will continue to host the greater majority of cruise ship visits to Tasmania."
"The deep water harbour, proximity to the city centre, accessibility to a variety of quality touring experiences, along with its maritime history, make Hobart a highly attractive destination for cruise shipping. The development of the dedicated facility will certainly enhance the experience and increase operational efficiencies."
Abel stated that consultation with industry has been a focus of Tasports as a part of this process in order to ensure that the project delivers for cruise lines, cruise passengers, tourism operators and service providers.
"The CDU Economic Impact Study (2009-10) reports an economic benefit to the Hobart region of $12.4 million in cruise shipping related expenditure," Abel said. The announcement is timely, with the Cruise Down Under annual conference being held in Newcastle next week (24th -26th August) where port infrastructure and "the model port" will be a focus of the program.
