The 2023-2024 summer cruise season is officially underway, set to be the biggest since the pandemic and one of Australia’s busiest ever, injecting billions of dollars into the NSW economy.
New data from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows NSW recorded a total economic impact from cruising worth $2.5 billion in 2022-2023, with the industry supporting almost 9000 local jobs.
Today the first international cruise ship of the season sailed into Sydney Harbour from the Northern Hemisphere, kicking off a bumper summer ahead.
The upcoming season will see 331 cruise calls into NSW ports, up almost 16% from the previous summer.
This will include a record number of maiden calls that will surpass the 2022-2023 summer season, with 12 first-time ships set to make their debut in Sydney Harbour.
The NSW Government is further supporting the industry by expanding cruise sailing into Newcastle. Led by Port Authority of NSW, the new agreement with the Port of Newcastle will facilitate the safe transit of cruise ships, create jobs and inject millions of dollars into the Hunter and Central Coast tourism and hospitality sectors over the next decade.
In the state’s south, the summer cruise season will be the biggest on record, with 41 cruise ships visiting Eden and a potential $18 million boost for the Sapphire Coast economy.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:
“Our magnificent ports are the gateway to all NSW has to offer. I’m thrilled cruise season has officially launched on our harbour today, with the first ship arriving from the Northern Hemisphere, bringing almost 3000 passengers and more than 1200 crew into Sydney.”
Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Joel Katz said:
“Cruising has made an incredible comeback and cruise fans have been heading back to sea in droves. Australia’s cruise industry generated a record $5.63 billion for the national economy in the 2022-23 financial year, supporting 18,225 jobs around the country.”
Port Authority of NSW CEO Captain Philip Holliday said:
“Our new 10-year licence agreement will see even more cruise liners adding the Hunter to their itineraries, building on the cruise industry success already achieved in Newcastle. Expanding operations in Newcastle will support a regional tourism boom in the decade ahead.”
