Darwin is host to three cruise ships this week in a bumper few days for our tourism and hospitality industry, as well as local retailers.
This morning Queen Elizabeth arrives on her maiden voyage to Darwin, with 1500 passengers and nearly 800 crew on board.
Yesterday the Noordam with 2,500 passengers and crew on board sailed into Darwin, while further 930 crew and passengers will arrive on the Viking Orion tomorrow.
Typically large cruise liners stay port for an entire day, allowing passengers to disembark onto a tour and visit multiple hospitality and retail venues, providing a boost to tourism operators and retailers.
The Queen Elizabeth is currently on a circumnavigation of Australia, arriving from Port Douglas and departing for Bali.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships generated around $60 million of annual expenditure within the NT.
The Northern Territory Cruise Tourism Strategy 2022-2025 identifies the roadmap to increase the benefits Territorians see from both cruise liners and expedition ships over the next 3 years.
A further 14 cruise liners and a number of other cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Darwin across the October to April season, with close to 50,000 passengers it's a major boost to our economy in our quieter low season.
All cruise ships are following the national guidelines and cooperating with CHO recommendations to keep everyone safe during their visit.
Quotes from Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Nicole Manison:
"It has been great to see cruise passengers disembarking from these magnificent ships and walking the streets of Darwin once more.
We welcome all cruise passengers over the next few months and look forward to a strong cruise season, an enormous boost to the Territory economy.
With 50,000 visitors to Darwin it means our restaurants are full, our tourism industry is thriving , retailers are busy and locals are employed in well-paying jobs."
Quotes from CEO Darwin Port, Peter Dummett:
"Darwin Port welcomes the arrival of Queen Elizabeth on her maiden voyage to Darwin. The port is pleased to continue working with cruise lines, to cater to their needs as cruise continues to grow."
Northern Territory Government
