Aussie cruise contingent heads to Seatrade

Aussie cruise contingent heads to Seatrade

The Australian Cruise Association will have a regional presence this year at Seatrade Cruise Global.

Seatrade Cruise Global is being held in Florida from the 13-16 March, with delegates from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and new members, New Caledonia Tourism, join the stand.

The Association will be represented by 14 delegates this year reflecting the continued growth of the Australian and Pacific cruise market. They include Chairman, Stephen Bradford CEO, Jill Abel and numerous representatives from the various State Tourism Organisations, port authorities and ground handling organisations who will showcase the Australia-Pacific region as a major world class base and destination for cruise vessels.

“We (also) released our 12th Economic Impact Report which noted growth in several significant sectors of the industry – 40 ports were visited in the last year – up from 30; 46 cruise ships visited Australia including eight new ships; and passenger and crew expenditure increased,” said Australian Cruise Association CEO, Jill Abel.

All indicators point to this growth curve continuing with eight new ships slated to visit Australia in the 2016-17 season including vessels such as the luxury Azamara Quest and Ovation of the Seas – the biggest ship to sail from Australia.

Abel also will highlight the Australasian experience as an invited speaker on a panel looking at the future of cruising in the region. She will be joined by Debbie Summers from Cruise New Zealand, Jan Swartz from Princess Cruises and Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean.

To show the delegates what Australian-Pacific hospitality looks like, the Association will partner with Cruise New Zealand to host a BBQ from 3-5pm on March 15.

Following Seatrade, a number of the Association’s STO members will travel to Seattle and LA on an educational mission meeting the cruise lines where they will conduct itinerary and destination training for the res agents.

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