AFTER hosting this year’s Cruise360 in Sydney last week, the Australasia managing director of Cruise Lines International Association, Joel Katz, confirmed the event would move to Queensland in 2020.
This decision is aimed at helping mark the upcoming opening of the new Brisbane cruise terminal.
The conference is to be held at Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre on Friday August 28, 2020, with hundreds of travel agents from Australia and New Zealand expected to attend, as well as key cruise industry executives and international speakers.
It is to be the first time the event has been held outside Sydney in its seven-year history.
“With the spotlight now firmly on Brisbane, the cruise industry believes 2020 is the perfect time to bring our Cruise360 Australasia conference to the Queensland capital,” Mr Katz said.
“Brisbane has become one of Australia’s most important cruise destinations and the opening of its new International Cruise Terminal late next year will cement its position as a leading port in the South Pacific region,” he said.
“Cruise tourism supports thousands of jobs in Queensland and the investment Brisbane is making in new infrastructure will help ensure it enjoys even greater economic benefit well into the future.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said, “Queensland’s cruise industry is growing rapidly and worth $1.1bn to the state’s economy”.
“We are constantly looking for opportunities to grow our cruise industry to ensure we are meeting the needs of cruise travellers and look forward to sharing these with conference delegates next year,” Ms Jones said.
Cruise360 Australasia is held annually by CLIA and is the cruise industry’s peak annual forum for sharing ideas, knowledge and visions for the future.
