WITH Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association.
Last week we headed to Kangaroo
Island in SA to continue the highly
successful Destination Development
workshops which ACA has been
hosting around the country in
partnership with STOs.
The workshops serve two purposes
– they showcase the experiences
available at the destination for our
members & also provide opportunities
for the local industry to enhance
their cruise knowledge and better
understand what the cruise lines and
ground handlers are looking for.
Thanks to local operator, Exceptional
Kangaroo Island, our team, which
included Toby Biddick (A&K), Martin
Bidgood (Intercruises) and Tyler Wood
(Bob Wood Cruise Group), had a
fabulous tour of the Island.
Travelling to landmarks such
as Flinders Chase National Park,
Remarkable Rocks, Admiral’s Arch
and Seal Bay, we were able to get a
terrific insight as to the diversity of
experiences available to cruise pax
including local wildlife, stunning
beaches and fabulous food and wine.
The workshop which we ran for
local operators was really exciting as
the industry is so committed to the
future of cruising and understands its
importance to the local economy.
Leah Clarke, SATC has been working
closely with the team on Kangaroo
Island & attributes the attention to
infrastructure investment as a reason
for the growth in cruise calls.
Visits grew from 16 in 2016/17
(including QM2’s maiden visit) to 21
this year. 27 visits are due next year
with Carnival’s recent announcement
of home porting from Adelaide.
