CRUISE tourism’s economic impact has fallen by more than a billion dollars from last year, according to a report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA). The sector delivered a $7.32 billion economic impact for Australia during the 2024-25 season, which, while among the highest-ever...
CRUISE tourism’s economic impact has fallen by more than a billion dollars from last year, according to a report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA).
The sector delivered a $7.32 billion economic impact for Australia during the 2024-25 season, which, while among the highest-ever results cruise has delivered, is an alarming 13.2% decline on last year’s record contribution (CW 18 Oct 2024).
Passengers are still spending high across Australia, according to the report; however, as previously warned by the industry, this has not stopped the leakage of cruise tourism to other countries.
CLIA and the ACA are now calling for a national action plan across federal, state, and territory governments to support cruise tourism, improve Australia’s competitiveness, attract more ships, safeguard jobs, and create greater economic opportunities around the country.
“Australia’s cruise community has been warning for some time that we risk losing tourism to other countries because of a difficult regulatory environment and high operating costs,” CLIA Managing Director Joel Katz said.
“This report confirms we face headwinds and that action is needed to create a better environment for cruising.”
ACA Chief Executive Officer Jill Abel added: “Cruise passengers spent more than $1.82 billion around Australia last year, but this was down 5.9% because there were fewer ship visits.
“Australia needs to create a coordinated national approach to cruise tourism, bringing together all elements of government and industry,” she asserted. MS
