NSW backs cruise industry with CLIA Australasia partnership
Australasia’s biggest cruise destination has thrown its support behind the cruise industry, with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW joining Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as an Executive Partner.
The new partnership means Australia’s gateway port of Sydney and thriving regional destinations such as Eden, Newcastle and Port Kembla are now represented in the world’s largest cruise industry trade association.
New South Wales hosts the biggest share of Australia’s cruise visitors, welcoming 371 cruise ship visits during 2017-18, or almost a third of the national total.
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said NSW was now firmly positioned within the global cruise community, as the state worked to further develop its cruise economy.
“The international cruise industry makes an economic contribution worth more than $2.7 billion a year to NSW, thanks in part to Sydney’s standing as one of the world’s most desirable cruise ports,” Mr Katz said.
“In recent years cruise lines have also expanded into other destinations including the Hunter, the Illawarra and the South Coast where some of Australia’s most successful regional ports are gaining attention,” he said. “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Destination NSW to CLIA at a time when the state is making important steps towards increasing the tourism benefits of cruising.”
NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the state has nine cruise ports that offer striking natural beauty and unique experiences for all visitors.
“Sydney continues to be Australia’s cruise gateway, and one of the world’s most beautiful destinations with its iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and pristine beaches,” he said.
“Sydney was named best cruise destination in Australia and New Zealand in the 2018 Cruiser’s Choice Destination Awards, which is based on passenger reviews. Cruise continues to be an important contributor to the NSW Government’s visitor economy target to triple overnight expenditure by 2030.”
Destination NSW joins other Australasian tourism organisations in CLIA’s Executive Partner program including Tourism Australia, Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Western Australia and Tourism Northern Territory.
