Burnie in Tasmania’s northwest is fast becoming the port of call for the State’s cruise ship visits. This past cruising season, from 4 November to 29 March, cruise ship visitors injected around $6.9 million into the region’s economy.
In February, the MV Volendam invited 55 guests to lunch with the Captain on board in appreciation of the fantastic welcome that Burnie provides.
Mayor Alvwyn Boyd said Burnie had already secured 62 per cent of the State’s cruise ship visits for next season.
“We had 21 cruise ship visits this season, which comprised about 48,000 passengers and crewmembers,” he said. “The fact that this success is continuing into the next season spells good news for our city.
“I am proud to welcome these visitors to our shores and their feedback tells me we are doing something right.
“Not only can we showcase our town to these worldwide travellers, but we can reap the rewards of their boost to the local economy.”
Mayor Boyd congratulated the estimated 58 volunteers who help with tours and praised Burnie Sports and Events staff for their faultless welcoming committee.
“Nearly every passenger I speak to says Burnie provides the best welcome they’ve ever received,” Mayor Boyd said.
“I am also immensely proud that post cruise surveys are showing Burnie is the number one port experience on the Diamond Princess and the number two port experience on the Volendam after New Zealand’s Milford Sound. Some have even said they felt like royalty when they arrived, and that’s what we like to hear.”
Mayor Alvwyn greets all cruise ships docking in Burnie in his Mayoral robes and gives every visitor a Burnie pin.
In addition, volunteers in blue shirts wearing ‘ask me’ badges work all day meeting and greeting, hosting free shuttle buses and acting as CBD ambassadors.
At the end of their stay, visitors are farewelled by a highland pipe band.
