Cruising hits a record high
Almost half a million Australians took a cruise in 2010, a reports from International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) shows.
Cruise passenger numbers surged by 27 percent last year, with a total of 466,692 Australians holidaying at sea, compared to 366,721 in 2009.
The 100,000 passenger increase represents the largest hike in annual passenger numbers since the industry figures were first compiled nine years ago.
An average annual growth rate of 19 per cent has seen the 2002 base of 116,308 passengers increase fourfold and, according to ICCA Chairman Gavin Smith, continuing growth is expected to see one million Australians cruising in 2010.
Some 309,000 (66%) cruised in the Australia/New Zealand region which the report attributes to the stronger Aussie dollar and the increase in the number of cruise ships sailing in local waters during the year.
The data also shows a slight growth in the proportion of shorter cruises of seven days or less (from around 35 per cent to 37 per cent) while longer cruises of 15 days or more fell from about 21 per cent to 16 per cent.
Australians cruising in Europe grew 50% and in Hawaii and the Caribbean by 71%, again largely influenced by the stronger Australian dollar.
Australia is now third in market penetration with 2.1 per cent of the Australian population taking a cruise, compared to 0.6 per cent in 2002. Population cut-through in North America is 3.1 percent and in the UK 2.6 per cent
The full report is available on the ICCA website – www.cruising.org.au
By Philip Thorniley
Ian Jarrett
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