Destination Wollongong and LBPR have launched a digital media strategy to help break the Internet when Royal Caribbean conducts the maiden voyage for the cruise ship industry to Port Kembla. Social media expert Tabitha Galvin is among those behind doing something really big on social media to welcome the region’s first mega-cruise liner. A #cruisewollongong hashtag has been created to use in posts about the Radiance of the Seas visit. “We are asking people to share photos of their favourite Wollongong spots and things to do on Facebook and Instagram, using #cruisewollongong,” she said.

When the ship arrives everyone with a smart phone is encouraged to share photos of it coming and leaving and passengers touring the region. “We really want the community to come on board and share their thoughts and images of Wollongong with the world. It is about getting on social media and telling people how proud you are of Wollongong, sharing your secret spots and where you think visitors should go. This is an opportunity for the whole community to come on board. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said.

Mr Sleigh said there was not going to be another opportunity to get a first cruise ship to Wollongong ever again.

“October 30 is such an important day. Lets make the most of it,” he said.

Mr Sleigh said there were many strategic benefits of Royal Caribbean bringing Radiance of the Seas to Wollongong.

They include leveraging the international cruise line’s networks to influence perceptions of Wollongong around the world.

“To put that into perspective, Royal Caribbean have nearly four million Facebook followers internationally, not to mention the tens of thousands of travel agents who sell their products around the world,” he said.

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