Townsville’s meet-and-greet team look the partTownsville’s meet-and-greet team look the part

The uniforms include scarfs designed by local silk artist Pip Earl of  the fashion label Pipsilk that feature the colours of tropical Townsville and the Great Barrier Reef.

Port of Townsville acting ceo Claudia Brumme-Smith said the meet-and-greet team has set itself the goal of having the best welcome experience of any cruise destination in Australia.

‘I look forward to welcoming Seabourn Encore and will be very proud to watch port staff wearing this fantastic uniform,’ Brumme-Smith said.

‘Its distinctive look will mean passengers and crew can easily identify Port of Townsville staff.’

She said Tourism and Events Queensland had found cruise passengers stopping in Townsville spent an average of A$224 while on shore.

As reported here in May, P&O Cruises Australia will operate a partial turnaround in Townsville for the 1,500-passenger Pacific Eden in  September 2018.

Around 400 passengers will embark and disembark in the mini turnaround trial that Port of Townsville believes will be a step forward to 
achieving its goal of home-porting.