Foley, a regular face at what is now Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, was a leading light in promoting Queensland as a cruise ship destination.
He had a 38-year career as a Great Barrier Reef pilot and was cruise ship coordinator for leading marine pilotage company Australian Reef Pilots.
He was honorary cruise ambassador for Tourism Events Queensland and snr strategic adviser for the Brisbane Cruise Terminal.
He developed several new cruise ship destinations in Great Barrier Reef waters and was a consultant to cruise ship operators on Great Barrier Reef itineraries.
A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, he was an accomplished shipboard lecturer and the author of five books. His topics included Captain James Cook, the Bounty saga, the Great Barrier Reef and the history and people of the Torres Strait.
Cruise Down Under ceo Jill Abel said Foley had an ‘unbelievable passion for cruising in Australia’ and had been ‘an absolute diamond’ in the industry.
Abel paid tribute to ‘the amazing contribution’ Foley had given to Cruise Down Under.
‘We will miss him,’ she said.
