Senior New Zealand Government Ministers joined cruise industry representatives in Wellington this week as they work to create the conditions for a thriving cruise economy in New Zealand.
Representatives from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA), Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, and Heritage Expeditions last night joined a forum convened by New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, aimed at attracting more ships and fostering greater economic opportunities from cruise tourism.
The discussions included other ministers with portfolio interest in cruise operations in New Zealand, including Minister for Climate Change, Local Government and for Auckland, Simon Watts, Minister for Customs and Associate Minister for Immigration, Casey Costello, Minister for Biosecurity, Andrew Hoggard, and Minister for the South Island and Associate Minister for Transport, James Meager. It continues the engagement begun last July to support the development of cruise tourism across New Zealand.
CLIA executive director in Australasia Joel Katz said the discussions had established an ongoing collaboration between industry representatives and key areas of Government overseeing cruise operations in New Zealand.
“Cruise tourism is worth NZ$1.23 billion a year to the New Zealand economy and supports more than 8000 jobs around the country, but action is needed to create an environment in which cruising can thrive,” Katz said. “By working together across all areas of government and industry, we can focus on lifting New Zealand’s competitiveness as a cruise destination and encourage more ships to visit.”
NZCA CEO Jacqui Lloyd said close engagement between industry and Government was crucial to achieving a strong cruise economy in New Zealand.
“The Ministers have provided important recognition of the huge economic importance that cruise tourism has in communities around the country, and together we will work on building the right conditions for cruising to thrive,” Lloyd said.
“Cruising not only brings enormous visitor spending, but it also supports a complex supply chain of New Zealand businesses that benefit from cruise operations – both in the major cities as well as smaller towns and regional destinations.”
