Wednesday 16 February 2011

by Mat Churchill

In the years between 2000 and 2008 the super yacht market, those huge luxury vessels, saw massive growth in number and size.

While the GFC had an impact on this growth, there are signs of recovery which presents an opportunity for Port Douglas. Carrie Carter is the chairman of Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef and is working hard to ensure this opportunity does not pass us by.

"We're trying to make Cairns the hub of the South Pacific. Not only just Cairns but also our surrounding region like Port Douglas and make it into a welcoming destination for the luxury super yachts. Not only for the crew but for their owners as well," Ms Carter said.

And with crew that can number up to 70 there is potential for local businesses to benefit.

"At the end of the day if we make it very encouraging and welcoming for the captains and crew, it's the captains that give feedback to the owners and say hey, you should get yourself down to Australia and the top end and see the diving off Port Douglas, or Lizard Island, and the fishing's great, that sort of thing.

"What we've done is build up a membership base that provides a lot of services to these super yachts. We are going out there and marketing to the South Pacific, to Tahiti, to the international boat shows, and saying Cairns is here, it's alive and well, come and visit us here at the Great Barrier Reef, we've got a lot to offer."

Jason Roles, general manager of Meridien Marina said that Port Douglas is in a better position to attract the super yacht market than it has been in the past.

"We've got a great opportunity to accommodate super yachts. All our large berths are now deep water berths," he said.

Mr Roles said that the marina now has three, 21 metre plus berths, and three, 31 metre plus berths meaning they can actively work with organisations such as Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef to attract more of these vessels to our region.