| Sherry emphasises economic benefits

Carnival Australia CEO Ann
Sherry has addressed the
beneficial flow-on effect of
cruising at a major economic
conference.
THE value of Australia’s cruise industry was a
hot topic at this week’s joint conference held
by the Committee for Economic Development
of Australia (CEDA) and the Queensland
Economic Development Forum (QEDF).
Speaking at the event, Ann Sherry told
delegates that cruising’s double-digit annual
growth over successive years had delivered a
positive “multiplier effect” to other parts of
the tourism sector as well as the wider
economy.
However, she also warned that “gaps” in port
facilities at Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns
remained the biggest threat to the continued
growth of the industry’s economic
contribution.
“It is quite clear that cruising’s success
translates into a wider tourism and retail
success,” Sherry said.
“You only have to study the consumer
behaviour of cruise passengers to know that
cruising contributes to tourism in a positive
way,” she added.
Sherry pointed to passengers’ pre-cruise
spending at local hotels, restaurants, taxis,
visitor attractions and tours.
“When they return home, they’re again just
as likely to stay on as part of their extended
holiday,” she said.
In her speech, Sherry also emphasised the
importance of social media and word-ofmouth.
“Our P&O Cruises’ Facebook site, with its
more than 80,000 fans, regularly has
passengers asking other fans for the names of
hotels and restaurants,” she said.
While confirming that some Australian ports
lacked adequate facilities, Sherry assured
delegates that Carnival would continue to
work with governments and local authorities
with a view to improving port infrastructure.
According to a Deloitte Access Economics
study commissioned by Carnival Australia,
cruising contributed nearly $830 million to the
national economy in 2010-2011.
This value added contribution represented a
44% increase on the cruise industry’s $580
million contribution in 2007-2008.