Exciting news for our industry
and membership as we welcomed
Ovation of the Seas, the largest,
newest and most technologically
advanced cruise ship to visit
Australia, when she sailed into
Fremantle on Tue.
Not only will Ovation’s visit inject
funds into the local Fremantle
economy via passenger and crew
spending and port costs but this
visit is part of a larger picture for
Western Australia where cruising
is recognised as a vital part of
their $9.6 billion tourism industry.
Last financial year the sector
contributed $275 million to the
state’s economy via 121 cruise ship
visit days, a 198% increase on the
year before.
This story will be repeated as
Ovation completes her first
Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney itinerary
and more importantly stays in the
country for the entire summer
season.
The arrival of this first superliner is
also a window into the future of our
industry with 62% of cruise vessels
arriving into the Australian market
expected to be over 270 metres in
length by 2020.
Our Association members including
the port authorities, STOs and
ground handlers for example
have worked closely with Royal
Caribbean to ensure our ports are
ready to receive this superliner
and to help organise welcome
ceremonies and immersive shore
excursions to greet the ship’s 4,606
passengers and 1,500 crew.
These mega ship arrivals require
a whole of industry approach to
ensure we are ready for these
vessels and we are working with our
members to support them as they
plan for the future.
CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO, Australian Cruise Association