MEMBERS of Tourism Whitsundays gathered with the Whitsunday Cruise Ship Ambassadors on Friday, December 2, at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, to congratulate them for their hard work and dedication since their inauguration, in 2004.
In 2022, the Cruise Ship Ambassadors have welcomed a remarkable 32 ships to the region so far, with more than 62,000 passengers disembarking the ships and exploring Airlie Beach.
By the end of this year, it will be 45 ships, with the nation-wide ban on cruise ships having only been lifted for six-and-a-half months.
The Cruise Ship Ambassadors are a volunteer organisation, who meet every cruise ship that docks, to greet and welcome passengers, hand out maps and help passengers navigate their day in the region.
TW business development manager Dea Huvonen said the volunteer group was ‘incredible’.
“Today is all about celebrating them and all the hard work that they’ve done with over 60,000 people getting off the boats, it’s pretty incredible for a volunteer group to do this,” Ms Huvonen said.
Ms Huvonen praised the ambassadors and their challenging work.
“The town is so lucky to have you, all the visitors are so lucky to have you and your kind hearts, your smiling faces and your fashion.”
Cruise Ship Ambassador Lyn Woodham said that cruise passengers expected to see the faces of the ambassadors when they disembark.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the whole team,” Ms Woodham said.
“It’s a massive operation when the cruise ships come in, with so many people involved.
“Those that are regularly on cruise ships know that when they come into Airlie Beach, the ambassadors are going to be there.”
The Cruise Ship Ambassadors will welcome 43 cruise ships between the months of January and June, in 2023.
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