Another record high has been set for Australian cruise passenger numbers. The recently released 2011 Australian Cruise Industry Report shows a 34% increase on last year's figures with cruise passengers climbing to 623,294.
The growth in the Australian market has outstripped all other international markets by a significant margin. By contrast, the US recorded a 4% rise and the UK a 5% increase. Over the past five years the number of Australians taking a cruise has almost tripled.
"Every year we are seeing more cruise ships based in Australia and more ships visiting our shores, taking the profile of cruising to new heights and prompting an unprecedented number of Australians to take to the seas for their holidays," International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) chairman Gavin Smith said. He attributed the growth to the broadening range of cruise ships available locally and overseas, as well as an increasing awareness of the great value offered by cruise holidays.
Local cruising to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific accounted for 70% of Australian cruise passenger numbers in 2011, according to the report, which is compiled by ICCA. The South Pacific retained its position as the most popular destination, with a 37% market share. And a burgeoning interest in New Zealand was revealed, with the number of Australians paying a visit to our trans-Tasman neighbour skyrocketing by 80% to 84,013.
Elsewhere, the upward trend in river cruise passenger numbers continued last year, with the report showing a 22% increase to almost 35,000.
