Darwin would again be witnessing several cruise tourists as the first ship for the season arrives in port.
As many as 2000 people would converge on the Top End for a day of site-seeing and shopping on their way from Perth to Sydney. Lauren Moss who is the Tourism Minister said that the cruise ships like the Sun Princess that would be arriving on Thursday morning offers a welcome boost to the economy of the territory during the more silent times on the Top End Calendar.
Lauren Moss said that the Territory Labor Government continues to work with Darwin City and Waterfront Retailers Association and Tourism Top End with an effort to offer a Territory welcome to tourists throughout the cruise ship season.
There would be 43 cruise ship visits to Darwin between now and July, bringing with them as much as 47,000 passengers to enjoy a slice of the Top End according to Ms. Moss.
The cruise industry is worth approximately $87.6 million every year to the NT economy.
The highlights of this season include the arrival of Queen Mary 2 in March 2018. This includes the return of the largest cruise vessel ever to visit Australia, Ovation of the Seas in April 2018 that would be able to deliver 4,000 passengers to their shores.
Eight cruise vessels would be visiting Darwin between October and December 2017 and usher over 11,000 passengers to Darwin as they reposition from Asia and Europe for the summer season of Australia.
All cruise ships would be in Darwin for the day arriving early morning and most would be departing at 6 p.m.
Festive activities would be planned that comprise music and arts and craft markets and shopping bargains from traders to tempt the visitors.
The Sun Princess was berthed around 7 a.m. and would be departing Darwin at 4 p.m.
