There are 10 maiden voyages expected, including the $1 billionOvation of the Seas, which will arrive in Sydney in December.
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the influx of cruise ships comes as Sydney takes out two international titles from Cruise Critic for best cruise destination in Australia and New Zealand, and best Australian home port.
“Cruise continues to be the fastest growing tourism sector in Australia and now it’s official: Sydney is the number one destination to visit across Australia and New Zealand and our country’s number one home port,” Mr Ayres said.
“NSW also grabs the lion’s share of the country’s $3.6 billion cruise dollar with 67 per cent of Australia’s cruise revenue generated right here in NSW.”
Australians are now the most ‘cruise mad’ tourists with more than 1 million people, or 4.5 per cent of the population cruising each year, set to double by 2020.
NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay said the NSW Government recently invested $135 million to expand cruise ship capacity in Sydney Harbour to ensure the city can continue to attract cruise ships from around the world.
“The upgraded Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) meets ship turnaround time needs better than ever before – faster turnaround means more cruiseliners can come into Sydney on any one day,” Mr Gay said.
“The NSW Government is committed to keeping Sydney open, available and accessible to the growing number of ships wanting to come here.”
Work is also set to be complete next month on a new super mooring at the southern end of the OPT.
Port Kembla welcomes the first ever cruise ship on Sunday 30 October and Eden will welcome 14 scheduled visits this financial year with major benefits for local businesses.
All eyes will be on the OPT come December as Ovation of the Seas, capable of carrying 5000 passengers, becomes the newest and the most technologically advanced cruise ship to ever call Australia home.
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