WHITSUNDAY cruise ship ambassadors were recognised and thanked by Tourism Queensland yesterday with the announcement the ambassadors will be getting new shirts.

Tourism Queensland thanked the volunteers for the warm welcome they have provided to the 13 ships and thousands of cruise passengers who have visited Airlie Beach this cruise season. Tourism Queensland Whitsunday destination director Racheal Klitscher said the Whitsundays Cruise Ship Ambassadors were highly regarded amongst the global cruise industry. "Tourism Queensland increasingly receives complimentary feedback on their role from the world's largest cruise companies, and was delighted to hear glowing comments at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami last month which representatives from Tourism Queensland attended," she said. In the 2010/11 financial year, the ambassadors welcomed 51,692 cruise visitors to the Whitsundays who contributed approximately $4.6million to the regional economy.

During the 2012 season, 46 ships are scheduled to visit the region, an increase from 27 ships in 2011. Ms Klitscher said the cruise industry was big business for Queensland "The warm welcome this group of more than 40 volunteers provides has left a lasting impact on passengers and crew and we want to say thank you," she said.

"They are a self-funded group who offer a professional service that is highly regarded. "From the moment passengers arrive they are greeted with a warm Whitsundays welcome which lasts until the moment they leave when they receive a Whitsundays visitor guide encouraging them to make a return visit."

Ambassador Judi Dunn said it was absolutely delightful to have new shirts.

A total of 1506 passengers and crew visited the Whitsundays on Monday from cruise ship Rhapsody of the Sea, with 334 booking tours and 1248 visiting Airlie Beach.