NSW CRUISE REVIVAL LEADS THE NATION

Port Authority of NSW CEO Captain Philip Holliday

and CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz

NSW has driven the recovery of the cruise industry in Australia, generating $2.75 billion, or 48.8 per cent of the national total, for the visitor economy in the 2022-23 financial year.

The Value of Cruise Tourism, an economic impact assessment jointly commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) shows Australia’s cruise industry generated a record $5.63 billion during the 2022-23 financial year, a 22.1 per cent increase over 2018-19.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said: “Cruising returned to Australia much later than other parts of the world, but the ships have been resoundingly welcomed by cruise fans who have been heading back to sea in huge numbers.

“The 2022-23 year has brought higher levels of passenger spending, higher levels of cruise line spending, and record levels of economic output around Australia.”

ACA Chief Executive Officer Jill Abel said: “Cruise ships visited more Australian destinations than ever in 2022-23, reaching 62 communities around our coast.

“Together these destinations welcomed 1354 ship visits, which generates enormous income for businesses like tourism operators, hotels and restaurants, retailers, transport providers and port operators. The supply chain that supports cruising is extensive, from the travel agents who manage the passengers’ arrangements through to the farmers who provide Australian produce served on board.”

Key findings from The Value of Cruise Tourism include:

• A total of 62 Australian ports and destinations were visited in FY2022-23, welcoming a combined 1354 ship visits.
• There were 3.35 million passenger visit days.
• There was direct passenger expenditure of $1.49 billion (up 10.6 per cent over 2018-19) and direct crew expenditure of $52.0 million (up 48.1 per cent compared to 2018-19).
• The average passenger spend per day on shore was $446 per person (up 15.2 per cent compared to 2018-19). Average crew spend per day on shore $137 per person (up 7.9 per cent compared to 2018-19).
• The largest beneficiary of direct passenger expenditure was the hotel and accommodation sector, which received $457.1 million, or 30.6 per cent of passenger spending. Other beneficiaries included food and beverage ($300.1 million, 20.1 per cent), shore excursions ($194.3 million, 13 per cent), transport ($208.8 million, 14 per cent), retail shopping ($163.1 million, 10.9 per cent) and entertainment ($57.8 million, 3.9 per cent).

Learn more here.

“The data shows that every guest spends hundreds of dollars every day they’re in port, boosting local economies right around the country,” said Carnival Australia’s Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer Teresa Lloyd.