CRUISE INDUSTRY

Click here for 2020 Gladstone Cruise Ship Dates

GAPDL has identified the cruise market as one with significant potential to boost the region’s visitation and help reach the goal of doubling visitor expenditure by the year 2020. The cruise industry is the fastest growing travel sector in the world, recording strong growth globally. The cruise industry currently provides $3.2B to the Australian economy.

Since 2016, GAPDL, Gladstone Ports Corporation and Gladstone Regional Council have been working in conjunction with P&O Cruises to establish the Gladstone Region as a destination for their new Southern Great Barrier Reef Discovery Cruises.

Gladstone’s exciting new cruise industry commenced with the safe arrival of the Pacific Dawn on 10 March 2016.

With the addition of Gladstone to the P&O Cruise calendar in 2016, the Feast on East Markets were developed to provide an exciting destination for cruise patrons and locals. The modern markets are held in the beautiful East Shores Precinct, adjacent to the cruise terminal. The 75+ stalls are sourced from across the region, showcasing the best our region has to offer.

Upon disembarking the ship, passengers are greeted by our friendly Cruise Welcome Ambassadors. Easily information distinguished in our designer ‘turtle’ shirts, the Cruise Welcome Ambassadors offer maps, regional and a ‘local’ insight to our region.  The warm welcome from our Cruise Welcome Ambassadors, adds an extra element to the Feast on East Markets and sets us apart from other cruise destinations across Australia.

With the cruise industry in Gladstone expecting the arrival of the Asian based cruise liner, Dream Explorer on seven occasions at the end of 2019, please see the below checklist and fact sheets which will ensure businesses and market stall holders are prepared and will receive maximum benefit from the upcoming visits.

Project Asia CHECKLIST – Top 10 Tips

FACT SHEET – Display Signage with QR Codes

FACT SHEET – Examples of Product Descriptions

FACT SHEET – How to Create a QR Code

FACT SHEET – Downloading and Using WeChat

FACT SHEET – Examples of Product Packaging – Good and Bad

For enquires on our Cruise Welcome Ambassador Program or the Feast on East Markets, please contact the Events Coordinator on events@gapdl.com.au or call 07 4972 4000.

How To Get Involved

  1. GAPDL works with local operators to assist them in developing their tourism product for the cruise market. Inbound Tourism Operators (ITOs) on-selling local products to cruise ships to sell to passengers. To be considered by an ITO to sell your product on-board your product needs to be established, commissionable and flexible.
  2. Provide an experience to passengers not pre-booked on a shore excursion
  3. ‘Feast on East Markets’ has been developed specifically to coincide with Cruise Ship arrivals in Gladstone. Located at the beautiful East Shores Precinct, the markets offer a wide range of market stalls, children’s activities, a variety of food and our nationally acclaimed Cruise Welcome Program.
  4. GAPDL are seeking ‘Expressions of Interest’ from passionate, friendly locals to take on the new key role of ‘Cruise Ship Welcome Ambassador’