One year since liberation!

ONE year to the day since Australia’s cruise renaissance, and more than 40 international ships have returned to local waters.

As Australia’s cruise resurgence gathers pace, the country is on track to return to pre-pandemic prosperity by the end of the year, thanks to the revival of the summer peak season, which was once worth billions of dollars each year to communities across the nation.

CLIA’s local Managing Director Joel Katz (pictured) said the industry has now returned to a full mix of domestic, international, and expedition cruise operations, spanning all states and the NT.

“We have welcomed more than 40 international cruise ships to Australian waters over the 202223 season and by next summer we expect to see around 60 ships - the same level of activity we saw prior to the pandemic,” he said.

“Globally, cruise passenger volumes are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, and the Australian market is showing every sign that it too has embraced the worldwide cruising revival.

“Cruise tourism brings economic opportunities to ports and destinations right around the country, including many regional areas and remote communities.”

Katz said cruise also benefits a huge range of businesses, such as travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, and retailers, in addition to the entire supply chain spectrum, such as transport workers, farmers, food & beverage providers, entertainers, stevedores, and more.

“Importantly, public enthusiasm around cruising has returned to pre-pandemic levels,” he noted.

“Eighty per cent of Australians who have cruised before say they will cruise again, a level similar to the 82% recorded in 2019.”

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the New South Wales capital has been among the first beneficiaries of the cruise revival.

“The combined boost from big events such as WorldPride 2023 and the return of cruise ships to Sydney has been a major factor in restoring the city’s mojo as it continues to roar back from the pandemic,” he said.

“Business Sydney was one of the first organisations to advocate for the ending of the cruise ban because we were aware that the industry had the necessary protocols in place to resume operations safely.

“The return of cruise ships has helped restore a sense of excitement, attracted local people back to the city and added to the tourism economy with visits from thousands of international cruise passengers.”