Port Douglas tourism: Thousands visit FNQ holiday town as Coral Princess arrives
A vibrancy, lost to the global pandemic, made a glorious return to this Far North holiday town when the first cruise ship docked off its coast.
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A VIBRANCY not felt in Port Douglas since before the global pandemic made a glorious return this week when the first cruise ship docked off the coast of the tourism gem.
The Coral Princess, carrying more than 2600 passengers and crew, arrived in the seaside village on Thursday to be greeted by a swarm of activity at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.
Slithering snakes and furry friends from the Wildlife Habitat, live music and a market atmosphere was on show for the first guests off a boat in the town for more than two years.
The huge holiday ship was travelling up the east coast stopping in at Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas, Willis Island and Brisbane.
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree chief executive officer Tara Bennett said it was a momentous day considering prior to Covid the town attracted around 26 vessels a year – bringing over 40,000 passengers to the region.
“With the return of interstate tourists, destination weddings, corporate groups and the slow growth in international travellers, this feels like the final piece of the puzzle in returning to pre Covid travel patterns for the region,” she said.
From July to December, Port Douglas has 28 visits scheduled “which may bring over 70,000 visitors”, according to Ms Bennett.
“In addition to the extensive shore excursions organised with local tourism operators on board the vessel, the marina had cruise ship touring options for passengers to consider including Wildlife Habitat, trike tours and rainforest experiences,” she said.
“And the Port Dougals Marina Markets was set up.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said it was “fantastic to see these tourists visit our shores again.”
“The cruise industry is a great opportunity for us to showcase our region to a market that only gets a day here, but hopefully enjoy it so much they will choose us as their next destination of choice for a longer stay,” he said.
“Town has been abuzz with the extra tourists and it’s great to see the businesses making what they can with the difficult staffing issues that are plaguing all holiday destinations.”
It comes as holiday occupancy peaked at around 98 per cent last week with the Queensland and Victorian school holidays.
The pumping numbers will continue into July with NSW and South Australian school holidays.
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Originally published as Port Douglas tourism: Thousands visit FNQ holiday town as Coral Princess arrives
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