Cruising has become a
$2 billion industry and
continues to outperform all
other sectors of tourism.
THE latest research into the economic impact
of cruise shipping in Australia has revealed yet
another year of tremendous growth.
According to the report released at last week’s
Cruise Down Under conference in Hobart, the
cruise industry grew by 30% in one year.
Expenditure by the international cruise
shipping industry in Australia in 2011-12 was
estimated at $1.77 billion, compared to $1.1
billion in 2010-11.
Including domestic passenger spending, the
total expenditure was $2.4 billion.
“The findings of the 2011-12 report
represent another year of strong growth for the
industry and continues to exceed expectations,”
said Chris White, Chairman of CDU.
“It demonstrates the continued positive
growth trend for the cruise industry, despite
the ongoing global economic challenges.”
The study also found that direct expenditure
increased by 48% to $1.39 billion compared
with $941 million in 2010-11.
“This was mainly attributed to a higher number
of base port visits which resulted in higher
passenger and crew expenditure as well as
significantly higher port-related expenditure,”
White said.
The strong results were primarily attributed
to the rise in port visits recorded by Sydney,
Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Overall, cruise ship visits to Australian ports in
2011-12 rose from 573 to 736; and total guest
expenditure increased from $303m to $443m.
Expenditure by crew was up from $43m to $60m.
Total port-related expenditure increased
from $440m to $733m.
The CDU study has been released every year
since 2005.
“It now provides us with eight years of robust
analysis of the contributions to the Australian
economy provided by this continually growing
industry,” White said.
See cruisedownunder.com for more details.
