Carnival in fresh call for cruise port improvements
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates a combined fleet of P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises ships, said the cruise terminal developments in Asia underlined the competitive need to upgrade port facilities in Australia.
Singapore, which opened its new international cruise terminal at the weekend, joins Shanghai and Hong Kong as major Asian cities where authorities have invested strongly in new port facilities to attract cruise ship visits.
"Cruising in Australia has enjoyed double digit annual growth for seven consecutive years including 2011 when nearly 625,000 Australians took a cruise holiday, 34% more than in the previous year," Sherry said.
"However, such spectacular growth can’t be taken for granted because infrastructure gaps at ports, including Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns, remain the greatest threat to the continued growth of the local cruise industry.
"While cruise complexes in Asia are of much greater size and scale than contemplated for Australian ports, it is important to understand that high quality facilities will give Asia a competitive edge in making the most of the economic opportunities that cruising presents."
Sherry said Carnival Australia would continue to work with federal and state governments with a view to upgrading port facilities.
"Carnival Australia continues to advocate a three-berth solution for Sydney Harbour – the proposed White Bay cruise terminal, the upgrade of the Overseas Passenger Terminal and shared use of Garden Island," she added.
Ian Jarrett
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