FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Coral, curiosity, culture and chartering form the underlying themes for the 2019 Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef familiarisation tour, an event which brings international delegates together each year to experience the best of Far North Queensland tourism and hospitality.
Scheduled for seven days in May, the famiI will showcase Cairns and the region as a premier super yacht destination with such inclusions as staying on board luxurious vessels (Motor Yacht Spirit at the Cairns Marlin Marina and at sea on board Motor Yacht Sahana); with indigenous cultural performances from Tjapukai and other local indigenous guides; getting up close and personal with the Great Barrier Reef through guided snorkelling and diving tours with local marine biologists and scientists; touring the Port Douglas regions, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, and in between, attending cocktail parties and being wined and dined at the pick of local eating establishments. A new partnership with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef will present new opportunities to this niche market to become a part of the important research and preservation of the reef for future generations. The trip will also offer us a unique occasion to work with Citizens piloting a major new Reef research project, utilising the vessels whilst they are on the Reef.
The famil then takes guests to Hamilton Island and Abell Point Marina for their final two days, to experience the magic of the Whitsundays. From luxury island resorts, to heli-flights over the iconic Heart Reef and island hopping onboard a superyacht, the delegates will immerse themselves in the charter potential of Whitsunday region of the Great Barrier Reef. Kate Purdie, general manager Abell Point Marina explains “We are delighted to once again partner with our colleagues in the north to showcase the diversity and range of experiences available to superyachts cruising the vast Great Barrier Reef region. Through this form of industry collaboration, we are able to provide our international delegates with a truly unique Australian experience.”
“We want to build on the growing reputation this event is gaining and ensure the right messages are getting out there – that our Reef is in good health and that there are many ways to get involved in the conservation and preservation of this incredible natural wonder,” SYGGBR Manager Joanne Drake said.
“We will be taking delegates to some of the beautiful outer reef coral displays, and importantly they will have access to leading marine specialists who will satisfy their curiosity about the future of the Reef.
“Another important aspect of the tour will be to increase the cultural awareness of our visitors and provide a taste of the unique indigenous experience we have to offer here.”
Promotion of the local super yacht charter industry and the ability for international (foreign flagged) vessels to home port in Cairns – which is a customs clearance port, will also feature heavily during the Famil.
“Since the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s decision in August 2017 to overturn legislative barriers that prevented superyachts from cruising here, many new anchorages have opened up,” SYGGBR Chairperson, Carrie Carter said.
“And Cairns is very close to nearby hotspot, PNG, where charter is allowed and becoming extremely popular. We are already experiencing a number of super yachts homeporting here right now.”
Delegates will be able to inspect some of the best yachts available for charter, see first-hand the excellent yachting infrastructure in both refit and new build facilities, and meet with local super yacht owners to gain further understanding of the benefits of chartering in the region.
“This year we have been approached by more and more local super yachts and sponsors wanting to come on board and be involved in this huge event which is gaining more and more international momentum every year with its global reach,” mentions Joanne Drake, Manager of the SYGGBR.
“The familiarisation tour is a really cooperative event, with so many people in the local tourism industry joining forces and working together to show off the unique aspects of our region both on land and at sea and making it a bucket-list essential for superyachts around the world.”
We appreciate the significant contributions from our sponsors:
Abell Point Marina
BSE Cairns Slipways
C’est Bon Restaurant
Cairns Aquarium
Cairns Marlin Marina
Citizens of the Reef
Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina
Dive Addiction
Fraser Yachts
Great Barrier Reef Marine College
Hamilton Island – qualia Resort
ISP
Kuranda Rainforest Tours
Motor Yacht Bahama
Motor Yacht Dreamtime,
Motor Yacht Sahana,
Motor Yacht Spirit
Nautlius Aviation
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Sportsfisher Zulu
End.
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION:
Joanne Drake, Manager, Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef | Ph: +61 458 794 001 | Email: jdrake@superyachtgroup.com
I will be available for further discussions at our monthly networking event this evening with visiting crew and members at the Salt House front bar from 5pm-7pm.
Carrie Carter, Chairman, Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef | Ph: +61 429 391 046 | Email: info@superyachtgroup.com
The Super Yacht Group Great Barrier is a non-profit, membership based consortium proactive internationally in promoting the GBR region as the perfect home port for superyachts. It attends major boat shows around the world, such as The Monaco Yacht Show, Ft Lauderdale Boat Show, The Singapore Yacht Show and Rendezvous in Tahiti and Fiji. With the assistance of the Cairns Regional Council and Ports North the group also hosts numerous inbound familiarisation tours.