by Mat Churchill

The cruise ship industry is set for massive growth over the next decade according to P&O Cruises World Cruising managing director, Carol Marlow and Port Douglas has a chance to capitalise on the trend.

“There are 32 new cruise ships on order from 2010 to 2014. You are right at the entry level of this which is an exciting place to be,” Marlow told delegates to the Jetset Travelworld conference in Hong Kong.

Ms Marlow said around 400,000 Australians took a cruising holiday last year.

Steve Burcher, operations manager for Meridien Marinas in Port Douglas the cruise ship industry provides many benefits to the town.

"Around 45,000 cruise ship passengers a year pass through Port Douglas. It internationalises Port Douglas with the mixed demographics of the passengers as well as provides a forum for other businesses to sell their tours," he said.

Mr Burcher said that although it is hard to negotiate with cruise ship companies to ensure Port Douglas forms part of their itineraries, we've already established ourselves as a prime location.

"Cruise ships have approached us not the other way around," he said. "We'd be relying on somebody like Doug Ryan (from Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree) to put our name in front of people."

Mr Burcher also said the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce has  had a vested interest in the growth of the industry, which was established largely by the work of Jason Roles, general manager of Meridien Marinas Port Douglas.

Mr Roles was awarded an Editor's Award for Excellence in the recent Port Douglas Magazine Awards for his instrumental work in establishing the cruise ship industry in Port Douglas.
 
Sam Cullen, vice president of the Chamber said a cruise ship strategy will be a priority in order to promote and grow its presence.

"We want to educate local businesses on the long term benefits of the industry. We want to encourage businesses to invest in the betterment of service levels to ensure they are ready to present themselves to passengers in the best possible way."

Mr Cullen said the town has already seen evidence of the positive effect the cruise ship industry has to local businesses.

"There has been a direct increase in accommodation bookings sourced from the cruise ship industry. People are here for a day and then come back for seven."

The Chamber is looking further capitalise on the forecast growth, and have discussed sending an ambassador to meet with key cruise ship personnel.

"It would be for two reasons; one is to thanks existing companies who are coming to Port, and second would be to engage in discussions with other cruise ship companies," Mr Cullen said.

He added that it was important that the Chamber work closely with Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree (TPDD) in maximising the effectiveness of both organisations.

Doug Ryan, executive officer for TPDD who also sits on the north Queensland cruise ship panel said the industry love Port Douglas.

"Port Douglas is cheap (for docking fees) and they love the destination itself with the amount of activities people can do. They also get a real tropical experience."

Mr Ryan said Port Douglas was represented at this year's Sea Trade in Miami, the world's biggest trade show for cruise ship owners.

"We jointly put a deal together with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and supplied brochures and DVD's. The feedback we received was excellent."

TPDD are working with Tourism Queensland on a prospectus for the next Sea Trade show in March 2011 which will outline the facilities Port Douglas has available to cater for the cruise ship industry.