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First Virgin cruise ship to visit Whitsundays

Community outraged over senseless killing of wild duck

Whitsundays wow in 2024 queensland tourism awards, on this day – november 15, 1984. contributed by the proserpine museum, celebrate mchappy day at your local macca’s this saturday.

Deborah Friend

THE FIRST Virgin cruise ship docked in the Whitsundays, on Friday (December 1) with a plaque ceremony to mark the occasion.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall and council personnel turned out to welcome the crew off the ship, along with the Cruise Ship Ambassadors, at the Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal.

A smoking ceremony, performed by Yooribaya Cultural Experiences, started proceedings.

Mayor Julie Hall then presented Virgin Voyages general manager Andrew Eglin with a plaque commemorating the significant occasion.

Mayor Julie Hall said it was exciting to welcome the first Virgin cruise ship to the Whitsundays.

“It was an honour to present the Virgin Resilient Lady captain with a plaque, on Friday, to commemorate their maiden visit with almost 3,000 passengers and over 1,100 crew on board,” she said.

“The cruise ship was given a special acknowledgment with a smoke ceremony and the Cruise Whitsundays team joined our amazing Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors to welcome guests with a cheerful Whitsundays welcome.

“Adding to the regular cruise ships arrivals at Port of Airlie, our Shute Harbour Marine Terminal is also kicking goals and will host 17 cruise ship visits over the Christmas-New Year period.

“On Wednesday, we will welcome another ship on its first visit to Whitsunday waters when Celebrity Edge – with 2,900 passengers and 1,200 crew – docks at Shute Harbour,” Mayor Hall said.

“The economic impact of both Port of Airlie and our Shute Harbour terminal is far-reaching and will help transform our region going forward.

“It not only provides opportunities for local businesses to flourish but also opens doors to creating jobs for locals, economic growth, and investment for our Whitsunday region.”

Virgin Voyages newest cruise ship, Resilient Lady, had made the 44-day trek from her summer home, in Athens, Greece, to her new winter home in Melbourne, Australia, via the Whitsundays.

Virgin Voyages’ CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said it was an exciting time for the company.

“We started this incredible journey in Athens and, after weeks at sea, we’re so excited to bring the ship to the Whitsundays,” he said.

“It’s one of the most iconic places in Australia and a signature stop on our Seachange Series voyages. We can’t wait to return!”

Remembering the fallen at moving service, bowen pipeline company welcomes new state government.

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Thursday, August 24, 2023

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

“Tourism Boom”: Shute Harbour Open For Cruise Ships While Airport Soars

Whitsunday Coast Airport travel numbers have radically increased since March 31 to date, with tourism figures totalling more than 100,000 people transiting through the terminal in the past three months.

The news comes in the same week Whitsunday Regional Council announced that Shute Harbour Marine Terminal will welcome back cruise ships from October.

Council documents state that “passenger movements through the terminal totalled 100,397, this generated a revenue increase of 32 per cent to the previous quarter.”

“Airline load factors across all airlines and routes averaged at 76.33 per cent with Sydney and Melbourne routes averaging 82 per cent,” the documents read.

Whitsunday Council Chief Operating Officer Aviation & Tourism, Craig Turner, said the airport was soaring.

“What we’re seeing is really solid business from all airlines into the Whitsundays, which is also equalling revenue,” he said.

“It’s driving revenue, it’s driving passengers, and the great thing is those passengers are then heading to town and through the region and spending more.

“Not only is the airport performing well, but that means for businesses in the region they’re getting the benefits of that.”

Council was also extremely pleased that cruise ships returning to the region can now ferry between their ship and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.

“Having cruise ships back to the Whitsundays is a sensational return to where we were pre-Covid,” Mr Turner said.

Cruise ship passengers will have the opportunity to step off the ship in Shute Harbour – an additional option to the already existing agreement many of the ships entering the region have with Cruise Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Regional Council expect the additional location will increase the region’s capacity to host cruise ships.

Up-market cruise ships Silver Seas, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity cruise liners will be calling Shute Harbour their “home port”, with the region able to expect in the vicinity of 2500 guests per vessel.

In the first year – which expects 40 visitations – that totals up to 100,000 visitors.

Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassador, Brian Richardson, said it would be fantastic.

“Both for passengers coming in and leaving,” he said.

Cruise ships tendering into Shute Harbour can expect bus transfers into Airlie Beach, as well as opportunities to trip to the islands from Shute Harbour.

“We’re going to have 100 thousand people come to the Whitsundays, experience it, and then who knows, they might come back for a seven-day holiday,” Mr Turner said.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Whitsundays.”

Whitsunday Coast Airport has recorded figures in excess of 100,000 passing through its terminal in the past three months

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