Cruising boom continues to grow

    Cruising boom continues to grow
    By Kate Webster


    Cruising has enjoyed a surge of 15 percent in Australians taking an ocean cruise worldwide in 2015 to reach a record 1,058,781 passengers, according to an industry report released today.

    Domestic cruising jumped 42 percent, contributing significantly to the record result.

    The growth in cruising in Australian waters saw local passenger numbers rise by more than 80,000 to 269,915 – a result which means one in four Australian cruise passengers took a domestic ocean cruise last year.

    Meanwhile the number of Australians taking an ocean cruise in Asia jumped 71.5 percent from 55,000 in 2014 to 95,000 in 2015.

    Released in Sydney today, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report reveals that Australia once again leads the global cruise industry in terms of market penetration, with the equivalent of 4.5 percent of the Australian population taking a cruise last year.

    Commenting on the report’s findings, CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said Australians were responding to the increasing array of cruises on offer.

    “In 2015 we saw a range of new shorter coastal cruises sailing from Australian homeports and these have clearly captured the imagination of Australians, who see them as a new way to explore their nation,” Odell said.

    “What’s more, many of these cruises are calling at regional ports around the coastline, creating a lot of chatter and enticing more Australians to try a holiday at sea, while also injecting valuable dollars into local economies.”

    Mr Odell said the expanding range of cruise options in Asia was also tempting Australians, with new itineraries available from China, Japan and Singapore in 2015.

    “Whether they are on a four-day cruise to a Queensland island or a 14-day voyage exploring the exotic ports of Asia, clearly more Australians are discovering that cruising is an easy, relaxing and great value way to holiday.”

    The annual source market report is based on data received from CLIA’s cruise line members, which account for more than 95 percent of the world’s cruise passengers.

    Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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