Cruise industry business is booming

A new study conducted for the cruise industry has underscored the far reaching economic benefits of visiting passenger ships and confirmed Sydney’s position as Australia’s number one cruise ship destination.

NSW Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said last week that cruise industry spending in New South Wales was a record $150.7 million in 2007/08, compared to $94.7 million the previous year, a 59 per cent increase and nearly twice the amount spent in Queensland.

“That’s the direct benefit as measured by the amount passengers, crews and the cruise operators spent during their stay at our ports,” said Ms McKay.

“The indirect spin offs add up to an even bigger bonanza for the State.

“Taking into account jobs created in related service industries, all up the cruise ship business was worth just over $293 million in 2007/08 compared to $184 million in the previous year.”

Ms McKay recently welcomed the arrival of the 77,000 tonne superliner Dawn Princess on her maiden voyage to Sydney.

“I am pleased Sydney will be the home port for Dawn Princess and it is another example of how our city is well positioned to benefit from the lucrative and growing cruise market.”

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said Dawn Princess would inject more than $10 million into the NSW economy over the summer cruise season.

“The arrival of Dawn Princess, demonstrates the growth of this sector and the significant economic contribution cruising brings to this State,” Ms Sherry said.

“We are bringing more ships to Sydney and growing tourism in NSW because the demand is there.”

A total of 108 cruise ships visited NSW during the year with Sydney hosting the majority (101).

“The boom in the cruise business shows no sign of slowing, with 126 passenger ships expected in 2008/09, making it the biggest cruise season ever,” said Ms McKay.

Key findings of the 2007/08 study include:

** Total of 108 cruise ship visits to New South Wales ports (97 last year);

** Passengers from cruise ships spent 246,684 passenger days in New South Wales (150,298 last year);

** Sydney hosted the majority of cruise ship visits (101), where around $290.8 million of cruise shipping related expenditure occurred, compared to $183.1 million last year.

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the economic benefits generated by passenger ships choosing Sydney as their No. 1 destination are enormous.

“In the last year the cruise shipping industry created approximately 1,495 direct and 700 indirect jobs.

“Sydney is Australia’s only city with two dedicated cruise terminals, one located at Circular Quay and another at East Darling Harbour.”

“In February this year, Sydney was the host to the spectacular Queen Victoria on her maiden visit to Sydney and the Queen Elizabeth 2 on her farewell voyage, a spectacular sight which many Sydneysiders enjoyed.”

“In addition to this historical visit, a number of new ships made first-time visits to Sydney with the Pacific Dawn and Dawn Princess now calling Sydney home,” Mr Tripodi said.

“But what this study really tells us is that cruise ship visits to our state are good business, generating jobs and adding nearly $300 million to the economy of the State.”  “And we are making sure that we have the infrastructure that ensures this trend continues.”

The study titled Economic Impact of the Cruise Shipping Industry in Australia, 2007-08 was commissioned by Cruise Down Under and the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and is available on the website http://www.cruisedownunder.com.

A Report by the Mole