Australian cruise numbers surge
The number of Australians taking a cruise holiday jumped 34% last year to reach an all-time high of 623,294.
A report compiled by the International Cruise Council Australasia found that the growth in Australian cruise passenger numbers in 2011 outstripped all other major international markets, with the US recording a 4% rise in passengers and the UK reporting a 5% increase.
According to the 2011 Australian Cruise Industry Report, the number of Australians taking a cruise has almost tripled over the past five years.
The report also reveals that 40% of the nation’s cruise passengers live in New South Wales with Queensland accounting for 24%, Victoria 16% and Western Australia 9%.
"Every year we are seeing more cruise ships based in Australia and more ships visiting our shores, taking the profile of cruising to new heights," said ICCA chairman Gavin Smith
Key findings of the 2011 Cruise Industry Report include:
Local cruising to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific accounted for 70% of Australian cruise passenger numbers in 2011.
The South Pacific retained its position as the most popular destination for Australians, attracting 37% of passengers (230,321) in 2011.
The number of Australians cruising to New Zealand surged by 80% in 2011 to reach 84,013, reflecting an increase in the number of transTasman cruises.
River cruising passenger numbers grew by 22% to almost 35,000, accounting for 6% of Australian cruise passenger numbers
Ian Jarrett
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