Major new tourism project confirms tourism industry confidence in bright future

19/11/03
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera today welcomed the decision by North Star Cruises to invest further in the tourism industry in the Kimberley by committing to build a new $13million vessel.
"An investment of this size shows real confidence in the future of our tourism industry," Mr Kucera said.
"And it confirms our Government's view that tourism is a key economic driver in the State.
"This investment is going to mean more jobs, both tourism jobs in the North-West and jobs for those involved in building the vessel at Image Marine.
"Decisions like this also provide a confidence booster to all the small tourism businesses."
The Minister said he believed the project was the single largest investment in marine tourism so far in Western Australia.
North Star Cruises has operated luxury adventure cruises in the Kimberley region since 1987.
They are to replace their current vessel True North with a 50m version that has increased capacity. Image Marine is a division of Austal Ships, the company that built Greg Norman's 'Aussie Rules'.
The Minister said the Kimberley had enjoyed a bonanza year with a total of 325,300 visitors, who stayed an average of eight days, including more than 36,000 international visitors staying more than 11 days each.
"This is great news for the people of the Kimberley as we know that the tourism industry offers many young people their first job and means people in the regions get the chance to have exciting and rewarding careers without leaving home," Mr Kucera said.
"I'm also delighted that local company Image Marine secured the contract to build the new 50m True North. The construction of such a luxury vessel here in WA is testament to the skills of all employed in our ship building industry."
Kimberley MLA Carol Martin said she was proud that a Kimberley-based company was leading the way in terms of luxury adventure cruising.
"This region has so much to offer visitors and our community embraces tourism and are doing everything they can to make sure the industry thrives and our kids have a future here," Mrs Martin said.
Minister's office: 9213 7000