Bright future as Broome gets stamp of approval from luxury cruise liner

Cruise ship agents have given Broome the tick of approval after P&O super-liner the Pacific Eden recently made its maiden voyage to the town.

Abercrombie and Kent land programs and shore excursions manager Toby Biddick arrived in Broome a day earlier to ensure the destination would meet expectations of the ship and its 1500 passengers.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Biddick said the town had met expectations and was poised to make the most from the industry in coming years.

“The port call in Broome was a success with positive feedback from passengers on tour enjoying the highlights of the destination,” he said.

“Broome has some great product with and is well positioned for a bright future in the cruise industry.”

The Kimberley stop-over was marked with an exchange of plaques between Kimberley Ports Authority board director Martin Pierson-Jones and Pacific Eden Captain Gavin Pears.

The cruise industry is in a high trajectory of growth in WA, leading to the appointment of a major liner such as P&O’s Pacific Eden to choose Fremantle as its home port.

Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive officer said the Pacific Eden would bring 6000 visitors to Broome this year.

“Having such ships establish their home port (Fremantle) within the State offers a huge opportunity toward Broome being positioned as a major destination,” she said.

“This is the beginning of what is going to be a very exciting economic driver to the region.”

P&O Cruises vice-president sales and marketing Simon Cheng said in a recent press conference that about 25 per cent of the guests cruising on Pacific Eden out of Fremantle would be interstate travellers, bringing valuable tourist dollars to the State.