The cruise sector of New Zealand is expecting its contribution to its economy to expand to a large extent, right from $447 million in 2016 to 2017 to $640 million in the 2018 to 2019 season.
According to the New Zealand Cruise Association’s official report the regional cruise tourism sector of this part of the world has been triggering a massive growth to its economy.
This industry body represents over 80 members in the sector.
The report has forecasted that the number of days the cruise ships would be spending in the ports of New Zealand would be increasing by about 31%, from 747 in 2016 to 2017 to more than 980 in the 2018 to 2019 season. The passenger traffic growth was estimated to rise by approximately 46% over the same period from 236,000 to over 344,000.
And, this report also said that passengers mainly arrived from North America, Europe and Australia.
The level of employment supported by cruise-related activities was about 8,000 in 2016 to 2017 season.
Kevin O’Sullivan, the chief executive of this association also mentioned that the huge growth predicted for 2018 to 2019 was mainly driven by more visitor arrivals from six cruise vessels including Norwegian Jade, Radiance of the Seas, Majestic Princess, Golden Princess, Celebrity Solstice and Ovation of the Seas.
But then, he has also warned that the infrastructure of the port was quite important to ensure that visits are maintained by larger cruise vessels and the greater number of passengers.
O’Sullivan added that the ships are getting bigger and in certain ports like the ones in Auckland, adequate infrastructure is lacking for cruise ships to berth successfully.
