Cruise Ship Strategy
Waterfront Auckland is working with Auckland Council, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development Agency (ATEED) Auckland Transport, the Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL) and the cruise industry to implement a strategy for the continued growth of the cruise industry in Auckland.
The development of permanent cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf is a key part of the strategy. The new terminal will build on the improvements made to the Wharf for the Rugby World Cup and is expected to be open for the 2013-14 cruise season. Further work is underway to quantify the economic impacts and benefits of the cruise industry, review portside and landside infrastructure requirements and opportunities, and look at ways to enhance the international cruise ship visitor experience over time.
Cruise and the Economy
The Cruise Industry is a significant part of the New Zealand economy and cruise passengers are the third largest market for international visitors after Australia and the United Kingdom.
In 2009-10 the cruise industry contributed nearly NZ$300m to the New Zealand economy and is forecast to grow by a further 13% in 2010-11.
Auckland is the hub port for visiting international cruise ships to New Zealand, generating over NZ$105m in total added value and sustaining an equivalent of 1575 jobs.
Auckland is currently perceived as being ‘cruise friendly’ and the continuation of this is crucial to other ports in New Zealand and Australia for the increase in cruise ship visits.
The cruise industry has grown steadily in New Zealand over the past one and a half decades. During the 1996/97 cruise season, 27 ships brought 19,400 passengers to New Zealand. The industry has grown on average by 14% per annum since then. Despite the recent global downturn, the cruise industry continues to grow. The Australasian market is very popular.
The 2011-12 international cruise ship season will be the biggest to date with Auckland receiving 100 cruise ship visits (up from 78 in the 2009/10 season). During the 2011/12 cruise season Auckland will receive more than 200,000 passengers and 80,000 crew to our shores. Cruise Vessel Timelapse
Useful Links
http://www.arc.govt.nz/auckland/waterfront-development/cruise-terminal/cruise-terminal_home.cfm for historical reports and information
http://www.cruisenewzealand.org.nz for additional reports on economic benefit of cruise
http://www.poal.co.nz/cruise_ships/cruise.asp for cruise timetables