| ACA Update 24 Dec 15 – An exciting 2015

THIS has been an exciting year
for the cruise industry and our
Association.
The release of our 11th
Economic Impact Report
confirmed that 46 cruise ships
visited Australia in 2014/15 with
a total of 31 ports – including
regional and remote centres –
visited around the country. And
the good news is that passenger
and crew spending increased
during those visits.
All indicators point to this growth
curve continuing with eight new
ships slated to arrive in 2016.
The home porting of fleets next
year, along with increased days in
port by some of the luxury ships, is
the real news as it will benefit
Australian travellers and also
provide increased revenue for the
tourism infrastructure.
The economic impact of a ship
turnaround is worth much more to
a destination than a transit visit,
so the dispersion of the resulting
financial benefits to hotels with
pre- and post- stays, tourism
organisations, port authorities,
providores, tour companies, and
attractions is so much greater.
On the back of the cruise
industry growth, our Association
also had a bumper year. We have
had a record six months of new
member growth and recently
welcomed Wilson Security and
Sturrock Grindrod Maritime.
We attracted an unprecedented
number of international speakers
to our annual conference in
September and celebrated a name
change to the Australian Cruise
Association. We look forward to
bringing you more great news
in 2016 and wish readers a very
happy holiday.

CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association