A MASSIVE US Navy ship unable to dock in Townsville will instead steam farther north to Cairns, bringing with it a tourism booty estimated at up to $14 million.
The USS Essex, a 250m amphibious assault ship carrying about 4000 American sailors, will dock in Cairns early on Sunday morning for a week-long stay.
The ship is in Australian waters for the military training exercise Talisman Sabre 2009 and was meant to dock in Townsville, but a busy commercial port meant a berth was not available.
The Essex was instead sent north to join another ship, the USS Tortuga with 1500 personnel on board. The Essex will be the biggest warship to dock in Cairns.
What the sailors will bring to Cairns:
- About 4000 US Navy sailors
- Bookings for 400-500 hotel rooms a night
- A boost for the local tourism industry with 35 tour options offered
- A financial boost to the local economy estimated at $14 million
- Bragging rights over Townsville
Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Jeremy Blockey said the daily spending habits of each sailor would differ, but he said the boost to the local economy would be huge.
"If they spent $200 a head for every one of the days, it would be $8 million and if they spent $400 each, it would be $16 million," he said.
"So you’re looking at about $12 million to $14 million – that would be about right.
"Suffice to say these guys are going to be very welcome in Cairns."
Townsville Enterprise CEO Trevor Goldstone said he was extremely disappointed at not being able to host the ship as planned, admitting Cairns had won out.
"Certainly what is Townsville’s loss appears to be Cairns’ gain at this stage," he said.
"Bookings and plans had been made around hosting these personnel and that will now have to be cancelled. I have no doubt that will have an immediate impact. It is very disappointing."
A spokesman for Military Tours, the US Navy’s morale, welfare and recreation contractor, said 35 tours would be offered to the sailors once they arrived in Cairns.
"They will take in everything Cairns has to offer. The Reef, Kuranda, wildlife parks, the Gulf, downhill biking, white water rafting," he said.
"The guys will have a great time in Cairns, there is no doubt about that."
What are your recommendations for what the sailors should see and do in Cairns? Post your comments below.
The spokesman said arrangements to accommodate the extra sailors was now being made with hotels.
TTNQ CEO Rob Giason said while the economic benefits of the visit would be obvious, the US Navy would also bring a different culture to Cairns.
"This will give us an extra boost at a time when the industry deserves it for hanging on during the tough times," he said.
"They really enjoy the social interaction with the locals, they like to see what makes a region tick, and they like to see all the attractions.
"It is a brilliant surprise."
Cairns MP Desley Boyle likened the arrival of the Essex to the Far North "winning the lottery".
