Announcement: Murray River Paddlesteamers managing director Rohan Burgess, Murray Regional Tourism interim chief government officer Will Flamsteed, Victorian Trade Tourism Council supervisor Kathryn Mackenzie, Murray Regional Tourism chair Wendy Greiner, Campaspe Port Enterprise government normal supervisor Mark Francis, Labor Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp and Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos at Wednesday’s announcement of the $2.25 million dedication for a five-star paddlesteamer to function in Echuca from late 2024.
Picture by
Steve Huntley
Echuca will likely be house to the nation’s first five-star river cruise expertise.
Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos visited the border on Wednesday to announce the state authorities’s $2.25 million dedication for a brand new paddlesteamer mission.
The $6.75 million state-of-the-art paddlesteamer, coined the PS Australian Star, will supply friends a singular keep, with 20 ensuite cabins, a superb eating restaurant and performance house, together with a lounge and bars throughout two ranges.
Murray River Paddlesteamers managing director Rohan Burgess stated the funding would lead to a big increase for tourism within the Echuca Moama area.
“We’re grateful for the (state) authorities’s belief and funding in our new vessel, and we’re very excited to develop our operation and supply this new expertise on the Murray River quickly,” Mr Burgess stated.
“Australians love cruising, they usually love the Murray River, however they need consolation and amenities akin to these on European rivers.
“Demand for in a single day cruises on the Murray is at report ranges, in order a hero customer drawcard, PS Australian Star will assist faucet that demand, increase the native economic system, create new jobs and cater for essentially the most discerning of tourists, attracting new home and worldwide guests to our area for the primary time.”
The PS Australian Star will likely be in-built Mildura and function from Echuca.
It’s anticipated to be cruising alongside the Murray River in late-2024.
The mission is about to generate 13 jobs through the building section and an extra 19 ongoing employment positions when the becoming out of the vessel is full.
The PS Australian Star is predicted to cater for as much as 40 friends and supply guests a luxurious cruise alongside the Murray for as much as seven nights, offering the chance to discover different riverside communities.
It will likely be the third vessel within the Murray River Paddlesteamers fleet, becoming a member of the PS Emmylou and PS Canberra.
Star on manner: An artist impression of the brand new $6.75 million five-star paddlesteamer which will likely be referred to as the PS Australian Star.
Picture by
Robert Blackburn/Rob Blackburn
Mr Dimopoulos stated this mission was one other instance of the state authorities’s backing for the tourism business, with the $2.25 million distributed by the Regional Tourism Funding Fund.
“Victoria’s river nation is already a compelling vacation spot to guests from internationally, and this newest attraction will draw much more guests, help the communities that decision them house and create extra jobs,” Mr Dimopoulos stated.
Information to the yr ending December 2019 illustrated the Campaspe Shire welcomed 1.2 million guests, who spent roughly $326 million.
State authorities figures state the mission is about to extend the typical size of customer stays on present cruises to 4.5 nights and increase the typical visitor spend to $1180 per night time.
Murray Regional Tourism interim chief government officer Will Flamsteed stated the PS Australian Star would bolster an already excellent providing for vacationers within the Echuca Moama area.
“This growth will additional improve the Murray River’s luxurious cruise choices and can encourage extra in a single day stays to this stunning area,” Mr Flamsteed stated.
Former Echuca Moama Tourism chief government officer Kathryn Mackenzie, who’s now working with the Victorian Trade Tourism Council, stated the presence of the PS Australian Star would take tourism into a brand new style.
“This places us into a global market and for Echuca-Moama it’s a gamechanger,” Ms Mackenzie stated.
