Cruise season to boost Esperance economy

A new cruise season with potential to bring more than 22,500 visitors to the Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern regions will help deliver economic benefits.

Five cruise vessels are scheduled in Esperance during the six-month season which starts in WA in October. The ships, which have capacities from 530 passengers to more than 900, will visit the coastal town between November and April.

Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said bookings had remained consistent with previous years for Esperance, although these could suddenly rise during the season.

He said the five vessels would anchor in port waters, with passengers tendered into shore to explore the region.

“Every cruise season is an opportunity to showcase our regions to visitors, remembering that each visit provides a raft of benefits to our regional economies,” Mr Wilks said.

The Port of Albany will host 13 cruise visits in the same season, including eight which will arrive during the start of the bicentenary year, including two visits by Crown Princess.