Boom continues for Australian cruise industry

Cruise holidays are continuing to surge in popularity in Australia with a record 263,435 people taking to the water last year, according to the latest industry statistics.

The figures reveal a 14% growth in Australians taking ocean cruises, with numbers rising from 221,033 in 2006 to 251,674 in 2007.

This is more than the 11% growth recorded in the UK cruise market and more than triple the 4.6% growth anticipated by the US market for 2007, although the overall numbers of cruise holidyamakers are much smaller. 

For the first time, the annual statistics also include passenger numbers for European river cruising, revealing that 11,761 Australians opted for a slower-paced river journey in 2007. The burgeoning river cruise market, which has been growing exponentially in the past few years, now represents four per cent of total Australian cruise passengers.

International Cruise Council Australasia chairman Richard Cranmer said the 2007 figures demonstrated that cruising was one of the “powerhouses” of the Australian tourism industry.

“These figures represent the fifth consecutive rise in cruise passenger numbers since the industry started compiling statistics in 2002, so it’s clear that as the types of cruise holidays continue to grow so too does their popularity amongst Australians,” he said.

Cruises in Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific waters were the most popular, with 160,947 Australians – or 61% of the total – choosing to sail in the region.

Asia was the next most popular destination, attracting 23,721 Australian passengers or nine per cent of the market, while Alaska/Canada and Europe both remained firm favourites with Australian cruisers – each attracting eight per cent of total passengers.

Overall, ocean cruising in Europe experienced the strongest growth in 2007 with passenger numbers rising 67% to 20,638, largely due to an increase in capacity and an extended cruise season in the region.

Cranmer said the Australian love affair with cruising holidays showed no sign of waning, with a steady stream of new ships being announced by international cruise lines, a growing fleet of ships based in the region and more lines including Down Under in their itineraries.

“Australians have discovered cruising is a relaxing way to holiday, which gives passengers of all ages the chance to do as little or as much as they like while they visit exotic ports around the globe,” he added. 

Cranmer said the Council’s travel agent membership had increased by 32% last year, reflecting increasing consumer interest in cruising.

Founded in 1996, the Cruise Council represents 24 cruise lines offering cruises to the Australian market.