By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG’S efforts to cash in on the cruise ship market needs serious and expensive ramping up, according to new industry findings.
The Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine report said a dedicated ship terminal and extensive marketing to boost Geelong’s profile were crucial to building the region as a cruise destination.
Corio Bay welcomed five ships in the 2013/2014 cruise season, two because of overcrowding at Melbourne’s Station Pier.
The local economy earned $713,200 from the ships, based on 3300 passenger and crew days in Geelong.
The report said Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula were becoming more popular among passengers, even though next season’s arrivals would drop from five shipsto three. Melbourne expected 73 cruise visits in the 2014/2015 season.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons is leading a council campaign for $25 million to build a new Yarra St Pier to cater for cruise ships.
Council has earmarked $5 million for the pier and Royal Geelong Yacht Club would put up $2.5 million.
Cr Lyons has also refocussed decades-old ambitions for a conference centre from Eastern Park to the pier and suggested it should also accommodate a relocated Geelong Performing Arts Centre.
Geelong needs a berth for cruise ships because Cunningham Pier has become inadequate, forcing the vessles to transfer passengers to shore on smaller boats.
Council estimates a new Yarra Street Pier could generate $40 million and 400 jobs over 10 years.
The tourism body’s report said cruise line operators were likely to visit more often if operational costs were lowered and maritime laws and restrictions relaxed.
“Australia is a challenging place for small ships to make profit,” the report said.
