Close to 500 volunteer ambassadors have welcomed more than 11,500 cruise ship visitors the region including 3400 who came into the Wollongong Arts Precinct on Wednesday.

Voyager of the Seas had 3900 passengers including 500 international visitors on board during her second visit in three weeks.

In thanking the volunteers Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the figures were impressive by any standard and it was great to see the way the city has embraced the fast growing sector of tourism industry.

“There are around 500 in the volunteer ambassador squad who have made these last three visits so successful, Cr Bradbery said.

“We would have welcomed something like 11,500 visitors. That is a lot of hands you have shaken. Congratulations on a mammoth effort. You have created a model of welcoming and engagement that is the envy of the world. This is what makes Wollongong and the Illawarra a great place to visit. You have helped to create..more than an image. It is a reality.”

Destination Wollongong chair Tania Brown also acknowledged the supporters of the ambassador program that is a finalist in the community category of Wollongong City Council’s Australia Day Awards on Thursday night. She said IRT Group and Westpac as well as Wollongong Golf Club, Kollaras Trading Group, Glenbernie Orchard, Premier Illawarra, the NSW Port Authority, AAT Terminals and Desination were among many organisations and businesses who had helped so much. “It has been such a wonderful effort by all involved. I cannot thank you enough”.

Volunteer Dot Hennessy said she had helped out with both Voyager visits because she wanted to help showcase a city and region she is so proud of. Ms Hennessy said Rotary also provided a barbecue on Wednesday to help feed the volunteers. “It is amazing the feedback we get from passengers who say it is really appreciate us making them so welcome”.

“I spoke to a couple from Sweden today who said they really loved it,” Mrs Hennessy said.