THE Australian accommodation sector is a key beneficiary of cruising, according to a new report on the economic benefits of cruise released today.
The annual Economic Impact Assessment commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) found that accommodation spending by cruise passengers amounted to about $450 million, or a third of their direct spend.
Cruisers spent almost $274 million on food and beverage on shore, along with $196 million on transport, $159 million on retail, $133 million on shore excursions and $59 million on entertainment.
Cruising was also a key contributor to regional dispersal, according to ACA CEO Jill Abel, who noted that cruise ships had visited 47 different ports across the country in 2018/19, many of which were otherwise very difficult for visitors to access.
“The diverse range of ports Australia offers around its coast is attracting more and more cruise lines, while also spreading the economic benefit of cruise tourism to the furthest corners of the continent,” she said.
The report found that a total of 1,240 cruise ship visits comprised a hefty 3.8 million passenger and crew “visit days” with direct spending by passengers, crew and cruise lines totalling $2.5 billiion.
The cruise sector supported more than 18,000 full time jobs, with the overall economic contribution up 6.6% year-on-year to $5.2 billion.
CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz said cruise passengers now spent an average of $387 for each day they’re on shore, providing benefits for hotels, restaurants, tour operators and retailers.
NSW received the greatest share of direct expenditure, including $1.54 billion in the key gateway port of Sydney.
Queensland cruise spending amounted to $490 million, followed by Vic at $168 million, Western Australia with $109 million, South Australia at $67 million, Tasmania at $49 million and the Northern Territory with $31 million.
Katz noted that the cruise industry had “defied current berthing constraints in Sydney to achieve a high rate of growth in its national economic contribution”.
“In the future we look forward to achieving a solution to Sydney’s infrastructure constraints, while at the same time benefiting from investment in other ports such as Brisbane, Cairns, Broome and Eden which are improving their ability to welcome cruise ships,” he said.
Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Dean Long welcomed the findings of the report, particularly highlighting the value of pre- and post- accommodation stays when ships are homeported.
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Source: traveldaily