John Bisset/Stuff
The cruise ship Seabourn Encore will arrive in Timaru Port on January 15, 2020.
Businesses in Timaru’s CBD are encouraged to take advantage of the record number of cruise ship visits to the city this summer, with the easy walking distance from the harbor to the center providing a ‘unique opportunity’ for travellers.
With the announcement last week that cruise ships will return to Timaru in a record 12 visits to the city’s portThe region’s hospitality department chairman and the city’s CBD chairman are now urging entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities that an influx of visitors brings.
While most ships arriving will have between 450 and 600 passengers, one larger ship, making four visits, will carry up to 1,900 passengers.
Timaru CBD Chairman Allan Booth, a Timaru District Councilor seeking reelection in the 2022 local elections, said the visits were a great “restart” for the cruise industry – the ships will no longer be allowed to enter the cruise industry since March 2020. waters of New Zealand.
READ MORE:
* Aoraki Tourism ready for cruise ships return to Timaru
* Busy summer cruise season planned for Nelson
* PrimePort investments to boost tourism in Timaru
“And the realization of a CBD within walking distance of the ship born creates a unique opportunity matched only by Auckland,” Booth said.
“This can only be further enhanced by the new proposed key connectivity program under consideration, within the CityTown revitalization that is currently underway.”
MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/Stuff
Timaru CBD chairman Allan Booth said the visits were a great “restart” for the cruise business. (File photo)
While it would be up to individual companies that are normally closed on the days the ships will visit to open especially, he said the CBD group “could only encourage those companies to embrace every potential business opportunity for the improvement of not just itself, but the wider CBD and our destination reputation.”
“The Timaru destination and CBD could do very well from the cruise ship visits, provided key stakeholders find out.”
Kristy Phillips, branch manager of Hospitality South Canterbury, said the ships would bring a new batch of visitors to the city.
When asked if the region’s hospitality industry would be ready to welcome an influx of people into the city, Phillips said nearly every industry in South Canterbury faced challenges in terms of staffing, supply chains and opening hours.
“We [hospitality] are not alone in this.
“Our local hospitality entrepreneurs have shown their resilience and adaptability and will of course do everything they can to welcome as many people as possible to this great neighborhood of ours.
John Bisset/Stuff
Kristy Phillips, branch manager of Hospitality South Canterbury, said the ships would bring a new batch of visitors to the city. (File photo)
“There is a focus on building the skills of our own local talent and taking care of our people so that they are ready for the summer season we have all been waiting for.”
Phillips said she was looking forward to working with Venture Timaru “and the rest of the city” to welcome visitors.
“While many have pre-planned adventures, we will do our best to provide a great experience for those who stay in the city.”
When asked what she would do if she were a tourist coming to Timaru, Phillips said she enjoys exploring cities on foot “looking for the hidden treasures that the locals love.”
“Some of our local attractions, such as Te Ana, are also a must-do, in addition to supporting as many hangouts as possible, of course.”
The first ship arrives on December 15, with the Seabourn Odyessey, carrying 458 passengers. The Noordam, which can carry up to 1900 passengers, passes four times.