Cairns travel: Cruise ship tourists to pump $80m into Far North economy

A roving board meeting of the Australian Cruise Association met in Cairns this week to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

Virgin Voyages' new cruise ship, the Resilient Lady, docked in Cairns for the first time in December. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Cairns cruise ship industry is expected to pump $80m into the region’s economy across the 2024-25 season.

Cruise ship arrivals experienced a solid rebound to generate a Cairns economic boost worth $69m during the 2022/23 season while Port Douglas and Yorkeys Knob secured $12m and $2m respectively.

The cruise industry is expected to give the Far North tourism industry a shot in the arm in the 24-25 season.

Last year Far North Queensland arrivals increased 25 per cent on pre-pandemic levels with 89 calls in 2022-23.

Australian Cruise Association chief executive Jill Abel said the 2024-25 season was expected to put $80m into the economy across 85 ship calls.

“Our push is very much about getting passengers immersed in experiences and showing the best experiences available and having genuine experiences that are unique to the different ports,” she said.

Cody Pavlak and Jill Pavlak, from Arizona, USA, boarded the adults-only Resilient Lady cruise in Greece and spent 40 days sailing the world before arriving in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

A roving board meeting of the Australian Cruise Association met in Cairns this week to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry and board members also travelled aboard a new Tropic Wings electric powered coach to Rainforestation and Kuranda.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the transition from P&O branded ships operated by Carnival Corporation to the Carnival Cruise Line brand was “going well”.

“We’re waiting to see the next schedule (that) will come out,” he said.

“We as a government have invested heavily in the port of Cairns — over $126m — which included an upgrade of our wharf facility which allows us to take larger vessels and we know that we’re going to see more of those.

Australian Cruise Association chief executive Jill Abel. Picture: Fia Walsh.

“They are a very key and a growing component to our tourism and visitor economy.”

At the last state budget $10m in 2024-25 out of $12m total spend was committed toward channel dredging at the Port of Cairns to improve navigation for larger cruise ships.

The move to support the growing industry was welcomed by Ms Abel.

“And (Ports North) is a very good support and work with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and ACA,” she said.

“TTNQ has recently joined the ACA and they are very proactive.”

Ms Abel said she also supported a long-held plan to revitalise Abbott St and provide a compelling entry into the city by passengers walking from the Cruise Liner Terminal.

“It’s a whole-of-government issue and we all need to work together to deliver a welcoming environment,” she said.

It comes after a $15m shed at Norship’s Porsmith shipyard for marine maintenance was officially completed this week.

It is expected to reinforce vital industry supply chains and strengthen Far North Queensland’s marine capability while diversifying the region’s economy.

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Originally published as Cairns travel: Cruise ship tourists to pump $80m into Far North economy