Tourism Western Australia joins CLIA Australasia

‘Cruising is vital to the state’s economy, generating A$116.5m in 2013-14 thanks to a total of 68 cruise ship visits,’ Tourism Western Australia’s ceo, Stephanie Buckland, said.

‘To ensure Western Australia capitalises on the rapid growth of the cruise shipping sector, Tourism WA is implementing a cruise shipping strategy,’ Buckland said.

‘Becoming a member of CLIA will help us to deliver the strategy and raise awareness of Western Australia as an extraordinary cruising destination.’

CLIA Australasia gm Brett Jardine said the move is timely, with new ports like Busselton attracting cruise companies. P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Jewel was the company’s first ship to call at Busselton on April 24.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has announced that Astor will overnight in Albany during a cruise from Fremantle on January 31, 2016.

Tourism Western Australia has been promoting the national ANZAC Centre in Albany that commemorates the 41,000 Australian and New Zealand troops who left the city in 1914 for World War 1. It has been included in Lonely Planet’s top 26 new travel experiences for 2015.