Adelaide to host 2024 Australian Cruise Association conference

Beautiful River Torrens in Adelaide, South Australia
Edited by Travel Weekly


    The Australian Cruise Association (ACA) announced that it will hold its 2024 Annual Conference and AGM in Adelaide, South Australia.

    The South Australian Tourism Commission has secured the event, reflecting the incredible resurgence in cruise currently being enjoyed by the state which welcomed an amazing 103 ship visits in the 2022-23 season.

    In making the announcement, Jill Abel, CEO of ACA said, “The committee’s decision to take the conference to Adelaide made perfect sense as the State’s appeal continues to grow for the curious cruise traveller.

    “With a growing port network including the gateway city of Adelaide, as well as wonderful sites like Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island), Port Lincoln and more remote locations for expedition cruises, South Australia is well positioned to welcome the full range of cruise ships.

    “The state’s vast offering of shore excursions – wellness and walking tours, wildlife viewing, Indigenous experiences and of course the incredible wealth of food and beverage experiences – makes for a highly immersive cruise itinerary.”

    The announcement was made at the final session of the 25th anniversary ACA Conference being held in Wollongong this week.

    It is anticipated that around 130 people will attend the Conference in Adelaide to be held from 4-6 September 2024. This includes leading national and international cruise executives and representatives from the supply side of the cruise sector – shore excursion operators, port authorities, provedores, shipping agents and tour businesses.

    South Australian Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said: “After a hugely successful restart to cruising in South Australia last year and a bumper season, it is wonderful to get this big show of support in our state.

    “With a record-breaking 124 ships set to visit our shores in the upcoming season, it is clear South Australia is a destination of choice for cruise lines – and now too, for the industry’s annual conference.

    “Thanks to excellent cruise infrastructure and world-renowned destinations like Kangaroo Island, we are seeing a huge resurgence in cruising in our state and continually growing this valuable sector of our visitor economy.”

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