Millions of dollars, hundreds of jobs: How the cruise industry is making waves in SA
It sank during the pandemic but the cruise industry sailed to major new records in 2023-24 – but are there storm clouds on the horizon?
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The cruise industry sailed to lucrative new records last financial year – delivering $227m in economic impact to the state and supporting 738 jobs, new data shows.
It compares to $215m and 704 jobs in the 2022-23 season as the sector rebounded from the Covid shutdowns.
A total of 122 cruise and expedition ship visits to SA included 45 to Adelaide, 25 to Kangaroo Island, 10 to Port Lincoln and 42 to expedition landing sites or anchorages in remote coastal destinations.
The Economic Impact Assessment of Cruise Tourism in Australia 2023-24 report, commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association and the Australian Cruise Association, shows 27,228 shore excursions were taken visiting places far from the arrival ports – such as the Adelaide Hills.
But there are storm clouds on the horizon – this season will see a slight drop in calls – to 119 – as factors including major lines planning to boycott Melbourne due to higher port fees take a toll.
In addition Carnival Cruise Line is closing its Australian P&O brand and retiring Pacific Explorer, which had regular sailings to and from Adelaide.
Despite fewer calls, more passengers and crew are expected to visit – 241,000 this season compared to 208,000 last season.
The 2024-25 season started this month when Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess visited Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, and Adelaide.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said more than 20 first-time voyages are scheduled, including luxury lines bringing in high yield visitors such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Hapag Lloyd Cruises.
“South Australia’s cruise industry has once again delivered a significant boost to our visitor economy, generating a record $227 million while crucially supporting more than 700 jobs across the state,” she said.
“While I acknowledge there are some challenges ahead for future cruise seasons as a sector nationally, our objectives remain on growing the number and range of cruise lines and ships adding South Australia to their itineraries and bringing high-yield visitors to our shores.”
Chief executive of the Australian Cruise Association Jill Abel noted the value of cruise tourism in Australia surged to a record high, generating $8.43bn for the national economy during 2023-24 while supporting more than 26,000 jobs.
“Cruise ships visited 49 ports and destinations around Australia during 2023-24, bringing increases in visitor spending to every coastal state and territory,” she said.
As well as being an enormous windfall for businesses like tourism operators, hotels, restaurants, retailers, transport providers and port operators, Ms Abel said passengers often return to destinations they discovered on a cruise, creating longer term benefits for communities.
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Originally published as Millions of dollars, hundreds of jobs: How the cruise industry is making waves in SA
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