Cruise is set to become one of New Zealand's fastest growing
international visitor sectors in the next two years, with passenger
arrivals set to almost double by 2011/12.
A new Cruise New Zealand report out today shows that cruise
passenger arrivals are set to increase by 90,000, to almost 200,000
within the next two years.
Cruise arrivals have increased by 467 per cent from just 20,000
passengers in 1996/97.
The sector is also a major economic contributor generating $271
million in direct spend to the New Zealand economy in the 2009/10
season. This is expected to rise to increase by almost 74 per cent
to $471 million by the 2011/12 cruise season.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says this
growth underlines the opportunity the cruise industry presents for
New Zealand tourism.
"This sector globally has shown its resilience to the economic
situation and we can expect to see strong growth over the coming
few years.
"The fact that cruise passenger numbers are expected to overtake
visitor arrivals from one of our most important growth markets,
China, underlines the importance of cruise to New Zealand
tourism."
The New Zealand Cruise Industry Study found that each visitor
travelling to New Zealand on a cruise ship generates around $1,700
for the New Zealand economy.
Kevin Bowler says the value of passengers can also be expected
to increase as visitors look to travel more independently rather
than purchasing packaged shore excursions.
"We're seeing a shift away from visitors who are looking for
easy, generic tours when they hit shores in New Zealand. The recent
increase in the number of Australian cruise visitors also means
that more passengers are booking local activities and tours
independently, which opens up the market to smaller and more niche
operators."
The number of US cruise travellers declined slightly in the
2009/10 season; dropping from 39 per cent of all international
cruise visitors in 2007/8 to 25 per cent in 2009/10. However, this
market is to return to growth in the 2011/12 season.
Australian cruise passengers are on the up, with Australians
accounting for nearly half (47 per cent) of our international
cruise visitors in 2009/10.
Tourism New Zealand has been working with Cruise New Zealand for
three years to actively promote cruise internationally.
- Read more about the Cruise New Zealand report.
- Find out about Tourism New Zealand Cruise development.
- To view the Cruise New Zealand website, click here.