Sydney needs all the international visitors it can attract and that includes the seafaring tourists who arrive in our city on board cruise ships. While it might not be popular with the Navy, the obvious place for the overflow of larger cruise ships to berth at the peak of the summer cruise season is at Garden Island. We know it can work for three to four ship calls per season because it has happened before a number of times involving Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2. Shared use of Garden Island delivers the cruising experience that domestic and international travellers want – sailing in and out of the world’s most beautiful harbour. Port Kembla could accommodate a cruise terminal but with all due respect it would not come near the Sydney Harbour experience. We also have to make sure Sydney doesn’t lose any further cruise industry share to Brisbane in terms of economic activity. The most recent economic study by the cruise industry’s Cruise Lines International Association in Australasia (CLIA) showed NSW had lost some of its preeminent share to Queensland in 2022-23. Thank you Lachlan Leeming for highlighting this matter in yesterday’s The Daily Telegraph. #sydney #cruising #sydneyharbour #cruiseindustry #gardenisland #tourism #tourists #welovesydney https://lnkd.in/gEtZH3bu
Port Botany is the logical Passenger terminal with close access to the airport only a rail link needs to be added. Proper deepwater ports like Newcastle and Woolongong to service international vessels until the MELB - BRIS inland corridor is complete. This then feeds containers into the inland hub [ Parkes ] ,which in turn delivers containers in via the west of SYD where the bulk cargo is required, and majority of depots are now situated.
Sydney is primarily a turnaround point (passengers off/passengers on), so I suspect the key is transport access. That’s certainly not White Bay - and Circular Quay isn’t particularly useful in that respect either. Botany Bay - port, airport, space for parking, rail links. Seems to add up.
But we also need more than McDonald's standard Food and Beverage offers available at least until midnight 7 days a week if we are ever going to be a credible international tourist destination and experience ... Try finding a decent coffee in the City after 3pm on any weekday ...let alone at 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night !
Sydney Cruise terminal at Circular Quay is a disgrace for passengers having transfers booked. Large coaches and busses have reasonable areas, but private cars, taxis, Hire Cars, Ubers and Vans have to scramble for their passengers. Vehicles keep doing circuits (pumping out exhaust emissions) because they can't find their passengers. Drivers can't leave their vehicles to find their people and staff have no choice but to keep vehicles moving. So many people who have paid for their transfers do not get picked up. Compare this with White Bay where there are designated parking spaces. Drivers can enter the terminal, get a cup of coffee (good for business) and use the toilets if necessary. No wonder passengers entering at Circular Quay say "Never Again!"
The Cruising Industry is a significant contributor towards the NSW economy, particularly here in Sydney. This is a vital move to ensure our visitor economy stays strong as it supports the thousands of small businesses that rely on it, including Taxis. Thank you Paul Nicolaou and Lachlan Leeming for raising this important issue.
Agree. Sydney is the lead, iconic gateway. Yes Melbs wants to be hot on your heels but let’s face it. Sydney Harbour is globally iconic. I can’t believe this issue continues to move in and out with the tide. Back in a collective decision! Australian Cruise Association Tourism & Transport Forum Destination NSW #nswgovernment
Paul Nicolaou many of these visitors also like to squeeze in a game of golf while in Sydney. Where do you think they will play if Moore Park is cut to 9 holes? I'm still shocked that Business Sydney supported Clover Moore AO personal attack on golf. Many of Business Sydney members I've spoken with are also confused... Looking forward to an explanation!
Very well said. Sydney needs a viable solution for an industry that brings billions of tourism dollars into the city each year.
Jobs Jobs Jobs. It’s a no-brainer for Sydney tourism. So what brains are preventing the use of this key infrastructure? Move the navy to White Bay.
Executive Director at Business Sydney
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