Economic windfall as cruise line commits to record 141 days in WA

Economic windfall as cruise line commits to record 141 days in WA

The McGowan Labor Government today welcomed an announcement from Princess Cruises that it would homeport the Sun Princess superliner in Fremantle for a record 141 days in 2019-20.

The announcement follows the Government’s commitments to improvements and upgrades at Fremantle, Broome and Geraldton ports.

The Sun Princess, which carries 2,000 guests, will also visit regional port destinations including Albany, Busselton, Geraldton and Broome.

The move represents the biggest investment any cruise brand has made in cruising in Western Australia and a significant boost for local jobs.

This historic investment will inject $32 million into the State’s economy and will generate a 100 per cent increase in cruise ship guests sailing from WA compared with the 2018-19 season.

The Sun Princess’ homeported season will include 28 cruise ship visits, including 18 to regional port destinations in Western Australia.

Each cruise ship visit will be bringing thousands of visitors to each port, as passengers disembark and explore the on-shore attractions.

“The State Government is thrilled with Princess Cruises’ decision to homeport the Sun Princess in Fremantle next year and what it means for local jobs,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“When Carnival stopped homeporting in Western Australia because of some regional port issues, we acted swiftly to rectify the problems and committed to improvements at Geraldton, Broome and Fremantle ports.

“Princess Cruises has responded with the biggest investment a cruise brand has ever made in this State, which is a huge win for our State, will create a great boost for the WA economy and help create jobs.”

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said, “Sun Princess will make 18 visits to regional ports over the 2019-2020 season, with each visit estimated to inject up to $500,000 into the economy as the visitors explore the local area.”

 

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti stated the McGowan Government is forming a positive working relationship with the growing cruise industry to ensure WA is well placed to reap the benefits of cruise tourism, and that these infrastructure commitments go a long way towards attracting and retaining cruise ships to WA ports.

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk commented that this local commitment will inevitably create local jobs by securing Fremantle’s status as a tourism destination, and that she was excited to welcome Princess Cruises to Fremantle Port next year.