Displaying items by tag:NZ Cruise Association

Cruise tourism has delivered more than $1.23 billion in economic benefits to the New Zealand economy during 2024-25, according to a report commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA).

Cruise tourism has delivered more than $1.23 billion in economic benefits to the New Zealand economy during 2024-25, according to a report commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA).

Cruise leaders and industry stakeholders last week joined New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston to discuss the direction of New Zealand’s cruise industry, putting a focus on close collaboration to achieve future prosperity.

More than 200 tour operators, cruise executives, travel trade, regional tour office reps and others involved in the sector attended the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference yesterday. Held at the Aotea Centre, Auckland it was the first time the conference had been staged since 2019.

• Michael Mihajlov, Carnival Australia; Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises
• Thanks for everything… New Zealand Cruise Association CEO Kevin O’Sullivan and immediate past chair Debbie Summers
• Megan Porter, Norwegian Cruise Line; Gabrielle Oliver, Oceania Cruises; Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing; Tracey Brennan, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Jason Hill, Tourism Talent; Oscar Nathan, Bay of Plenty Tourism
• Blair Anderson, Waimarino Glow Worm Kayaking; Jolanda Cave, Ngai Tahu Tourism
• James Chatterley, Event Dynamics; Jason Baker, Tourism Results NZ; MC Paul Yeo, Tourism New Zealand
• Catching up at the end of the business sessions… Bianca Bratton, PONANT Expedition Cruises; Kylie Crouch, First Travel Group
• Ben Dale, Akorn Destination Management; Matthew Barnett, Chloe Barnett, both Bay of Islands Tours, Tony Brent, Akorn Destination Management

New Zealand Cruise Association is warning that New Zealand risks losing millions of dollars unless the Government can confirm as soon as possible when our maritime borders will reopen.

The association says the continuing lack of certainty on the future of the cruise sector is also putting at risk hundreds of ailing tourism businesses that support the cruise sector around the country.

The New Zealand Cruise Association says its ‘most realistic estimate’ is that the industry here will not crank up until the last quarter of 2022.

Chief executive officer Kevin O’Sullivan says this is based on the considerable time it will taker to work with the government through acceptable procedures and protocols which are in place successfully in other countries but still have to be agreed by our officials.

‘These talks have not yet begun but could start once New Zealand achieves vaccination rates above 90%.’

The New Zealand Cruise Association has expressed its frustration yet again at the government’s failure to even indicate a timeline for a restart in this region. 

The association says that it is ‘most likely not until next year’, in its latest newsletter.

‘This month would ordinarily (whatever that means now) see the beginning of the New Zealand cruise season. However, port visits have reduced by 88%, with more to come.  It’s important to understand that cruise lines want to operate here but are unable to do so because of the New Zealand government prohibition on ships entering our maritime border.

Travel trade and tourism operators were last night clinging to at least some hope that PONANT’s domestic cruising season around New Zealand will take shape in one form or another.

Yesterday the cruise line was continuing to talk to Immigration NZ after its shock last minute decision to prevent Le Laperouse from coming to New Zealand – despite having the green light from the Ministry of Health. At the time of going to press it was believed a final decision would be made today.

The 2020-21 New Zealand cruise season continues to look grim, with about 40% of port calls in the country cancelled so far, according to NZ Cruise Association figures.

At the same time the number of expected cruise guests in the country over summer has already reduced by nearly 150,000 from the expected 384,000 plus.

Supply chain survival is one of the ‘New Zealand specific challenges’ highlighted by Debbie Summers in her NZ Cruise Association chairman’s report 2020.

‘Our members include retailers, wholesalers, tour operators, port agents, ground handlers, and hospitality – all part of a supply chain that is critical to the sector.

‘In a nutshell it is crucial we all do our best to hold tight, to survive, to ignore the naysayers, to harness our passion and the facts and go out there and fight for the return of our cruise industry,’ Summers told TRAVELinc Memo after the AGM.  

In her report, Summers summarised the dire current situation for cruising and outlined a number of challenges to overcome. But she also touched on opportunities – including that cruise lines are looking keenly at our region for a safe and measured restart within our domestic arena. ‘We are talking about kiwi cruises for kiwis just as Air NZ has once again opened the skies for New Zealander’s to see their own country.

‘We can stimulate travel, starting with some really immersive itineraries.’

Summers points out that supply chain survival is largely reliant on borders. ‘We need safe corridors with countries with zero comunication (this is our Government’s indication on who we can do business with in the future) opening as soon as we are able.’

She says New Zealand is fortunate to have a close safe source market (‘heading that way at least’) in Australia. ‘One in 17 Australians like to cruise. They made up over 50% of our cruise market pre Covid 19.’