The WA Cruise Exchange is set to raise the profile of the State as a world-class cruise shipping destination when it kicks off in Perth today ahead of the imminent return of major cruise liners to Western Australia.
A host of leading cruise lines, including Carnival Australia, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Australian Pacific Touring, MSC Cruises, and Ponant, are attending the four-day cruising conference, along with first-time attendees Heritage Cruises, Coral Expeditions and Viking Cruises.
Eight WA port destinations – Albany, Broome, Busselton, Dampier, Esperance, Exmouth, Fremantle and Geraldton – are being represented at the event, as well as the peak body for Aboriginal tours and experiences in WA, the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council.
The Exchange connects cruise industry leaders with representatives from WA ports and the tourism industry to learn about the exciting range of onshore activities WA has to offer.
Twenty-four senior representatives from the eight global cruise lines, along with ground handlers and peak cruise industry bodies, will visit ports such as Busselton, Broome and Fremantle and explore attractions in the surrounding regions, with local industry to pitch their destination for inclusion in cruising itineraries.
This is the sixth time WA has hosted the Exchange, with the number of cruise lines taking part more than doubling since the inaugural event in 2013.
The Exchange comes ahead of a bumper cruise season for WA, with the maiden call by Carnival Australia’s Coral Princess to Fremantle on 28 October carrying 1,970 guests and crew, followed by Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth on 7 November carrying 2,080 guests and crew.
An inaugural Kimberley season has also recently been confirmed by Ponant, with its luxurious three-masted sailing vessel, Le Ponant, scheduled to cruise between Broome and Kuri Bay, home to the Paspaley pearl farm on the Kimberley Coast, in 2023.
More than 10,000 cruise ship guests are expected to visit WA between October and December this year.
For more information on cruise shipping in WA, visit the Tourism WA corporate website.
As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:
“The WA Cruise Exchange is a great opportunity for WA to show the global cruise industry that our State has untapped potential when it comes to providing incredible onshore experiences for guests looking for unexplored, one-of-a-kind destinations.
“This event gives our State’s port destinations an amazing opportunity to secure new business and show the major players in the cruise industry that they have what it takes to be included in Australian and Western Australian itineraries.
“The fact that this event is increasing in popularity reflects the growing appetite cruise lines and their passengers have for the unique experiences available in our State.
“The cruise industry was worth more than $262 million to our economy pre-COVID and we’re committed to building the relationships to get back to that level again quickly.
“Our clear message to the rest of the country and the world is that Western Australia is well and truly open for business – all over the State, as well as up and down our spectacular coastlines.”
