Carnival sets out ambitious cruise target
Carnival Australia is seeking to more than triple cruise penetration in the Australian market by 2030, as the local cruise industry looks set to smash previous targets four years early.
The aim of reaching one million passengers per year by 2020 will instead be achieved by 2016 according to forecasts, with more than 700,000 Australians taking to the seas last year. The cruise industry is now worth more than $1 billion to the national economy.
“This is a phenomenal achievement when you think about where we were as an industry just five years ago,” Carnival Australia boss Ann Sherry told delegates at the Carnival Partnership Summit on board P&O Cruises's Pacific Pearl at the weekend.
“Five years ago nobody really believed Australia would develop a vibrant cruise industry in the way that it has.”
The faster than expected growth has prompted Sherry to devise a new challenge for the sector.
“Why not a market penetration of 10%? It’s never been done anywhere but nowhere has grown the market as fast as we have.”
She described Australians as “urbanised seahuggers” with the majority of the population living within easy reach of the ocean.
The propensity of Australians to travel also puts the ambitious target within reach, according to Sherry.
However, improved infrastructure will be essential to enable such meteoric growth, with "cracking" Garden Island the key to delivering growth from Sydney.
But Sherry insisted the struggle to agree better facilities for the cruise industry is now gathering momentum with both political parties have “privately” revealing that they are supportive of a long-term solution at Garden Island.
The navy is also becoming a “bit more flexible” over shared use of the facility, with the completion of an ongoing review into the navy’s Australian operations expected to deliver more certainty.
A growing emphasis on Asia will also help to boost bookings from the Australian market, with Sherry promising a “stronger vertical movement” of ships to Asia, providing a greater range of itineraries and destinations across all seasons.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
ann sherry carnival carnival australia cruiseLatest News
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