Darwin attracts more cruise ships
By: Katrina Archer and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

The Darwin cruise ship industry has experienced a strong year of growth, and it looks set to continue the trend, according to the NT government.

Speaking onboard the Sun Princess in Darwin last week, Tourism Minister Dr Chris Burns, said that the cruise ship industry in Darwin provides a huge boost to Territory business in the quieter months of the wet season.

"In the last financial year crews and passengers from cruise ships generated more than $27.2 million dollars of expenditure in the Territory, " he said.

"Over the past wet season cruise ships brought almost 40,000 visitors to the Territory, with each passenger spending an average of $282 and crew spending $197 each.

"This is a great boost to the tourism industry and as more passengers come to the Territory it means more jobs for Territorians," he added.

Signifying its commitment to the industry, the Northern Territory government also recently invested million in a new Cruise Passenger terminal in Darwin, "which provides a more comfortable arrival for passengers into Darwin," Burns said.

39 cruise ships are planning to visit Darwin in the coming year, three more than last year, and Carnival recently confirmed it plans to increase the number of ships arriving into the port, with one ship to dock for two nights later this year.

"Increasing the number of nights in the Territory is great for Top End business and this will give passengers the opportunity to explore more of the Top End," Burns said.

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