New Zealand travellers are ready to set sail – CLIA Australasia
New Zealand travellers are primed for their next ocean cruise – led by younger generations who show the strongest sentiment towards cruising, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Consumer research conducted last month on behalf of CLIA shows that among New Zealanders who have cruised previously, 81% say they will cruise again – a figure equal to the average across top cruise markets internationally.
Among New Zealand travellers who have never cruised before, 74% said they were open to taking their first holiday at sea – well above the international rate of 68%,
The figures were announced today by CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz, who addressed the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) conference in Auckland.
“These are very positive figures – as strong as any in the world – and they show that New Zealanders are just as passionate about cruising as people in some of our largest cruise markets internationally,” Mr Katz said.
“Even among New Zealand travellers who have never cruised before, sentiment is very strong and well above the world average,” he said. “This shows that Kiwis are encouragingly receptive to cruising.”
Mr Katz said sentiment was strongest among younger New Zealanders, reflecting a worldwide trend driven by new generations heading to sea.
“Younger cruisers in New Zealand reported a higher-than-average intention to cruise,” Mr Katz said. “Among Millennial cruisers, 86% said they will cruise again, while among Gen Z cruisers, 87% said they will cruise again.”
Previous figures released by CLIA show the average age of a New Zealand cruise passenger was 49.3 years in 2023, down from 52.4 years in 2019.
In his address to the NZCA, Mr Katz highlighted the positive global outlook for the cruise industry, which is forecast to welcome record numbers of passengers internationally during 2024.
He outlined the industry’s efforts in pursuit of its emissions goals – including work to perfect sustainable energy sources like biofuels, methanol, hydrogen fuel cells, electric batteries and hybrid systems – and highlighted the industry’s initiatives in responsible tourism management and destination stewardship.
(New Zealand travellers are ready to set sail – CLIA Australasia)
