Sustainability, mass tourism and the financial benefits of a healthy Australian cruise industry.
These were just some of the topics discussed at a major lunch staged by Business Sydney and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Under the title ‘Cruising’s Global Impact’, the event was held to celebrate Cruise Month and to spotlight the essential contribution of cruising to Sydney’s visitor economy.
“I’m very pleased to say the state of the cruise industry is incredibly strong,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s Global President and CEO.
“We see the intent to cruise now higher than it was in 2019 and in fact, cruising has recovered faster than any of the other travel and tourism segments. And I think the Australian market recovered faster than even the rest of the cruise industry.”
Ms Craighead revealed that fastest growing demographic to cruising were Millennials and Gen Z, who were attracted by the industry’s accessibility, value for money and sustainability.
“Cruise lines are investing billions of dollars into technologies that are not only enhancing the passenger experience but that also have to do with fuel efficiency and our aims towards sustainability.
“In the next five years I would like the cruise industry to be recognised for the leadership it has played in advancing environmental sustainability efforts.”
John Graham, the NSW Tourism Minister, said that Sydney had a “close and very important” relationship with the cruise industry.
“We’re the most desirable destination in Australia, but also one of the biggest beneficiaries of that relationship,” he added.
“Cruising brought in $2.75 billion to New South Wales last year. That’s half of the national total. It brought in half a million passengers and supported almost 9000 full time jobs. All key reasons why the government strongly supports that relationship.”
The minister said the government had listened to cruise industry feedback about the need to develop more onshore excursions and experiences for visitors to our shores.
“They’re the things that they’ll go away and tell many, many times to their friends and family around the world. They’re the experiences we want them to talk about.
“We look forward to not only the growth in the tourism sector, but the growth in the cruise industry that will come over that 10 or 11 years.”
