| ACA update 12 Jan 17: South Pacific synergies

2017 is supposedly the year for new
beginnings and we are delighted to
start the year right by welcoming
back New Caledonia as an ACA
member. Members since 2001,
they had taken a one year absence.
“We re-joined ACA because the
cruise industry in New Caledonia is
growing quickly and it is in our best
interests to work strategically with
Australia, our closest neighbour”
said Jean-Michel Foutrein.
New Caledonia is just one of our
South Pacific members which
also include Papua New Guinea
(2005), The Solomon Islands
(2006), Indonesia (2009) and a
longstanding MoU with Cruise NZ.
We are delighted to have such a
diverse regional representation
which allows us to share our
knowledge, expand itinerary
options, and deliver consistency
with our shore experiences.
Working co-operatively in these
areas helps us to strengthen the
region as a year round cruise
destination which is obviously
attractive for the cruise lines.
This year we will also have a united
presence at Seatrade Global in
Florida with NC, NZ, PNG and
Australia sharing one stand.
We will get together in advance
to develop future strategies and
meet with other global cruise
associations such as Cruise Europe.
I spoke with Alcinda Trawen
recently from PNG Tourism who
reinforced the benefits of working
together saying “Being a part of
ACA has allowed us additional
exposure in the broader region
through networking, participation
in Seatrade and the ACA
Conferences. All have been fruitful
in increasing PNG’s exposure as an
emerging cruise destination”.

AS WE approach the end of
2016 and others are looking
to put their feet up and take a
well-deserved break, our cruise
industry members are in top gear
to support the arrival of happy
holiday makers around Australia.
We have already seen an
exciting start to the season with
the arrival of new ships such as
Emerald Princess and Ovation of
the Seas – the largest ship to ever
cruise Australian waters – our
members are working hard to
ensure that guests enjoy their
arrival into the ports.
We are also excited by the
opportunities for our members to
work alongside the cruise lines for
special events. Crystal Symphony
will arrive into Sydney on New
Year’s Eve so guests can ring in
2017 in one of the most beautiful
harbours in the world.
In Jan, P&O will again run its
Australian Tennis Open cruise
package to Melbourne which
includes a two day pass to the
must see tennis tournament. In
Mar, we will be heading to Florida
for Seatrade Cruise Global.
The Association will be
represented by a record number
of delegates including those
from Australia, PNG, NZ and
New Caledonia, reflecting
the continued growth of the
Australian/Pacific cruise market.
As we head towards another
exciting year, we want to take
this opportunity to thank all our
members and industry partners
for their support and we look
forward to working together in
2017.

CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO Australian Cruise Association