Bid to tempt glamour boats to come south
SUPERYACHT Group Great Barrier Reef deputy chairwoman Kathleen Ferguson will be targeting world cruising superyachts, their owners, captains, charter brokers and managers at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show this week.
With 125 superyachts worth $5 billion on display, Ms Ferguson said the event was the perfect platform to entice the lucrative industry Down Under.
She said the health of the Great Barrier Reef and preservation efforts would be a key discussion point.
“The message is also about perspective: the whole Reef is the size of Italy, has the ability to rejuvenate and offers amazing, world-class experiences,” she said.
SYGGBR manager Joanne Drake said Papua New Guinea had become a popular nearby destination for charter vessels with the option to homeport in Cairns between trips.
“It is hoped that before too long Federal Government will make amendments to legislation to allow international superyachts to charter in Australian waters as they do in Fiji and New Zealand, opening up an additional 11,800 jobs and $1.64 billion for our economy by 2021.
“What becomes clear when we are working internationally is the value of collaboration, and this is where our connection with our neighbours in Indonesia, PNG, Fiji, Tahiti and Vanuatu is an important advantage.”
SYGGBR will also be represented at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October.
The promotions come as the group hosted its annual dock party last Friday at Cairns northernchemicals.com.au Marlin Marina.
Coinciding with a fullybooked marina, the private party for members, VIP guests and superyacht crews and guests, was held on Sailfish Quay.
“From the oldest tropical rainforest on earth to the Great Barrier Reef, this event allows us to showcase our region to international vessels and help to spread the word of all that our region has to offer,” said sponsor and Audi Centre Cairns owner Alan Ren.
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