Brisbane is on the cusp of a global tourism boom in the lead-up to hosting the 2032 Olympic Games as it aims to embrace its ‘River City’ reputation. But what might that look like?
Across the globe, countless cities have positioned their waterways as vibrant, thriving tourism destinations. Now more than ever, Brisbane’s marine tourism success hinges on the lessons we can learn from other leading river cities.
Here, we explore some of the leading cities from around the world. One theme carries through these impressive examples: unlocking a river’s potential starts with visionary infrastructure.
Bangkok’s bustling water highway
Our first stop: Bangkok, a city defined by its bustling Chao Phraya River.
Historically a key trade route, today the river is a bustling water highway that blends public transport with tourism. A diverse fleet of vessels, from traditional long-tail boats and public ferries to luxury dinner cruises, connect Bangkok’s iconic landmarks.
More than 50,000 people use the river’s ferries daily, and tourist boats offer hop-on, hop-off services to famous attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.
This efficient network of river activity is made possible by well-maintained public and private piers and wharves, which provide seamless access and services, making the river a central part of the city’s tourism identity.
Chicago reverses the flow
Next up is Chicago, perhaps best known for its deep-dish pizza and baseball. But the city also famously reversed the flow of its river back in 1900, transforming it into a world-class tourism destination.
Once an industrial corridor, the Chicago River underwent a remarkable transformation. In a bold act of engineering, the city reversed the flow of the river in 1900, redirecting it away from Lake Michigan, which was the city’s primary source of drinking water.
Over a century later, this once-polluted waterway has been transformed into a vibrant tourism asset. The Chicago River is now best known for its world-class boat tours that draw year-round crowds – with a total 55 million tourists visiting the city each year.
Operators like Chicago’s First Lady and Shoreline Sightseeing take visitors on a journey through the city’s history, showcasing its stunning skyline from a unique perspective. The success of this river-centric economy proves that with visionary planning and infrastructure, an industrial waterway can be transformed into a world-class tourism asset.
Brisbane might not do deep-dish pizza, but our river is up there with the best of them!
London Thames potential
London’s legendary River Thames has been the city’s lifeblood for centuries, but it wasn’t always a tourist attraction.
Today, it serves as a dual-purpose thoroughfare for both daily commuters and millions of tourists. The Thames is navigated by a diverse fleet of vessels, from the high-speed Thames Clippers that operate as part of London’s public transport network, to sightseeing cruises and high-speed RIB boat tours.
This thriving ecosystem is supported by extensive infrastructure, consisting of ports, piers and wharves. The continuous investment in this infrastructure gives commercial operators the certainty they need to build and expand their fleets, growing the river’s tourism potential.
Paris beauty captured by Seine
In Paris, the River Seine is a deeply entrenched in the city’s appeal, offering a romantic vantage point for the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. But the river is also a serious economic driver.
The Seine is a tourist magnet, with its banks designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and its marine tourism operators supported with a well-established network of quays and docking locations that provide permanent mooring security.
One of the most iconic river experiences is a cruise on the Bateaux Mouches, which uses large, open-air tour boats that have been operating on the Seine for more than a century. These boats, and others like them, offer everything from one-hour sightseeing tours to gourmet dinner cruises, with unparalleled views of the city.
The infrastructure along the River Seine provides the stability and certainty that operators need to run frequent, reliable services and make the river a central, profitable element of the Parisian experience.
Colmslie Wharves unlocks River City
The lessons from these world-class river cities are clear – dedicated infrastructure is the key to a thriving marine tourism industry.
Colmslie Wharves is Brisbane’s opportunity to put this lesson into practice. By providing a purpose-built, long-term home for commercial vessels, the development will offer the stability and certainty that operators need to expand their services.
“We look at other river cities around the world, and it’s obvious that tourism growth correlates closely with proper supporting infrastructure,” said Raptis Investments CEO Tim Beirne.
“Colmslie Wharves aims to provide the foundation for marine tourism growth in Brisbane, giving operators the certainty and security to expand.”
