CLIA releases 2016 figures showing almost 1.3 million Australian cruisers last year.
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia has just released its highly anticipated industry figures for 2016, with 1,281,159 people taking a cruise last year.
The result reflected an exceptional 21% annual growth rate versus 2015, and continues a decade of double-digit annual growth in cruising from Australia. CLIA Australasia and Asia ceo Joel Katz said the figures also showed a record 5.3% market penetration, making Australia the only market in the world to exceed 4%.
Interestingly the results reflected a decline in long-haul destination cruising, with Australian cruisers departing from Europe down 11.8% and Asia declining 10%. Queensland, NSW and Victoria accounted for 82% of cruise passengers, with NSW showing staggering growth, up 24% to 523,000 passengers with a 6.3% market penetration – meaning the equivalent of about one in 15 NSW citizens took a cruise last year.
CLIA chairman Steve Odell also highlighted the potential of the market, which is facing ongoing capacity constraints due to berthing limitations in Sydney. “Competitors such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China and New Zealand are actively courting the cruise sector, while NSW still does not have a cruise strategy finalised,” he said.
Odell noted that cruising is the fastest growing sector of the economy, contributing $5 billion in economic activity and supporting 20,000 jobs.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily and in Cruise Weekly tomorrow.