WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

98 cruise ships are due to visit Wellington in the coming season - up from 60 in the 2010/11 season.

The Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre is calling for volunteers to help the city welcome an expected 62% increase in cruise visitors this coming season.

Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive David Perks says just under 150,000 cruise visitors are expected in the 2011/12 cruise season – over six times the number of passengers the capital was welcoming five years ago.

To date the organisation – which operates the visitor centre as well as market Wellington as a destination - has managed to cater to growing numbers through stringent visitor centre staff rostering and an ‘all hands on deck’ approach from PWT’s marketing team that sees everyone from the receptionist to the CEO help out at the frontline.

“It’s a really valuable exercise for our marketing team to get involved at the frontline, and that will still continue. But with 38 more ships due to dock this season compared with last season and level of attention and commitment that our challenged climate demands, that model is not going to be viable for 2011/12,” Mr Perks says.

Accordingly to Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011, Wellingtonians’ love and enthusiasm for their city is part of what makes it the ‘coolest little capital in the world’.

“We’re hoping to harness that enthusiasm to help cater to the booming cruise industry,” Mr Perks says. “We’re looking for people who are passionate about their city and sharing it with others who are able to spare a few hours a week to help answer visitors’ question and point them in the right direction, ensuring they have the best possible time here.”

As cruise liners stop over for just one day, a popular itinerary is to visit Te Papa then take the Cable Car up to Carter Observatory, walking back down through the Botanic Garden for a spot of shopping on Lambton Quay before returning to the ship on provided transport or along the recently revamped walkway.

Volunteers will be trained, but should be reliable people with great knowledge of the city’s streets and visitor attractions, and strong communication skills. People are needed to cover approximately two shifts of about four hours per week. Almost all will be morning shifts, finishing around lunchtime. Volunteers are needed for both week days and weekends, as well as public holidays.

If you are interested in volunteering to help the i-SITE Visitor Centre during the 2011/12 cruise season, please email Lisa Preston.