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31/10/2019 11:38 AM

Report: cruise creates $5.2 billion for Australia

Cruise creates $5.2 billion in economic benefit for Australia, as well as over 18,000 jobs, and New South Wales leads the way. Here are the key facts from the latest report.

Cruise in Australia contributed $5.2 billion to the economy during the 2018-19 financial year, says the latest report by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA).

There were 1,240 cruise ship visits across 47 Australian ports last year, creating 3.8 million passenger and crew visit days across the country. Direct expenditure by passengers, crew and cruise lines totalled $2.5 billion.


Image: Cruise in Sydney created $1.54 billion in direct expenditure for NSW during 2018/19


New South Wales remains the home of cruise in Australia and the State with the largest economic benefits with the cruise industry generating a total expenditure of $3.3 billion.

NSW also received the greatest share of direct expenditure from the cruise industry, receiving $1.55 billion including $1.54 billion from Sydney alone.

Outside of Sydney, there was a 35% increase in cruise ship visits over the previous year, generating $25 million for ports in regional NSW.

Image: Regional cruises in NSW were up 35% in 2018/19


The annual Australian Cruise Industry Economic Impact Assessment also found that cruise passenger spending was up 17.4% on the previous year to reach almost $1.4 billion.

Cruise passengers now spend an average of $387 each for every day they’re onshore in Australia, providing huge economic benefits for local businesses.

The accommodation sector was the biggest beneficiary from cruise passengers, receiving $450 million or 33.3% of their combined spend. The food and beverage sector accounted for almost $274 million  (20.3%) of passenger spend, followed by transport ($196 million, 14.5%), retail ($159 million, 11.7%), shore excursions ($133 million, 9.8%) and entertainment ($59 million, 4.4%).

Cruise also continues to generate employment, with the report finding that 18,135 full-time jobs were supported by the cruise industry across Australia. In NSW, the cruise industry supported 11,517 full-time jobs, generating wages of $994 million.


Australian Cruise Industry Economic Impact Assessment 
Key findings during the 2018-19 financial year.

  • 1,240 cruise ship visits to Australia led to 3.8 million passenger and crew visit days (days in port)
  • Cruise contributed $5.2 billion to the national economy
  • Direct expenditure by passengers, crew and cruise lines totalled $2.5 billion.
  • 18,135 full-time jobs were supported by the cruise industry

In New South Wales:

  • Cruise contributed $3.3 billion to the State economy
  • Direct expenditure by passengers, crew and cruise lines totalled $1.55 billion
  • 11,517 full-time jobs were supported by the cruise industry
  • $994 million in wages was created by the cruise industry

Find out more about cruise in NSW

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