The cruise ship trend in Broome is exceeding expectations with 17 calls scheduled for this season.

“The Broome Cruise Committee has been invigorated with funding for a coordinator ensuring all the relevant parties are kept informed of upcoming visits and facilitating the implementation of strategies to make passenger visits to Broome a great experience,” said Kimberley Ports Authority (KPA) CEO Kevin Schellack. “The Committee will provide a central point of contact so retailers and tour operators can work together to make the most of what Broome has to offer.”

The favorite excursions remain pearl tours and camel rides. There is also the Broome Hovercraft, offering a very different view of Broome for those who want a bit of adventure, said Schellack.

“Being a port in a beautiful location, it is important that cruise providers give KPA as much notice as possible of potential changes in their port requirements so that we can incorporate them into our strategic planning and develop business cases if necessary,” added Schellack. “The Kimberley continues to be an important experience for many people’s ‘bucket list’ and KPA hopes to continue to play an important role in making visits to the port a wonderful and memorable experience.”

The original wharf opened in July 1966 and Western Australia recently approved $24 million in funding to carry out a comprehensive maintenance program.