Tourism groups propose cruise ships for Brisbane Olympic accommodation
Industry leaders are urging Queensland to explore a cruise-based response to a reported shortage of 10,000 hotel beds.
Tourism groups are calling on the Queensland government to hire cruise ships to help address a reported shortage of 10,000 hotel beds in Brisbane before the Olympic Games.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler suggested bringing in two or three cruise ships, which she said could provide 7000 additional rooms. The proposal comes as tourism representatives press for action on Brisbane’s accommodation needs ahead of the Games.
Carnival Encounter has capacity for 3115 guests and is the only cruise ship sailing from Brisbane throughout the year, according to the report. It said two or three vessels of that size would largely narrow the estimated accommodation gap.
Australian Cruise Association CEO Jill Abel called for an Olympics cruise activation program to be established immediately. However, the report identified terminal capacity as a key constraint, saying Brisbane’s international cruise terminal can accommodate only one cruise ship at a time.