Cruise bosses are calling for a more ‘co-ordinated’ approach to boost the $5.6 billion industry as the new season kicks off.
A total of 62 ships are heading to Australia for the cruising summer season, which lasts from October until March.
That’s down a little on last year’s 70 ships, with some companies such as Virgin Voyages pulling out of the region.
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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said while the number of port calls ships would make in Australia would be up three per cent, action was needed.
Discussions on a third cruise port in Sydney have so far not resulted in any answers, while an increase in port taxes has seen some companies snub Melbourne.
Plus paperwork that allows foreign ships to sail in Australia has only been extended until December 31, 2026.
This season will also see a farewell from budget cruise brand P&O Australia, which will be folded into parent company, Carnival Cruises.
“We’re saying to the federal government, we need a core recognition of the value that cruise delivers to Australia,” Katz told 9News.
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“While the numbers have been really robust, we are seeing that future deployment announced for our region are flattening.
“We’ve always been an expensive operating region but we’re actually seeing costs increase quite dramatically.
“There doesn’t seem to be any kind of coordinated approach to dealing with cruise by government agencies, ports.
“So we’re seeing lots of different cost increases way beyond sort of CPI, which is very difficult for cruise lines to recoup when they’re last minute.”
“Cruise lines are planning their deployments when in advance, itineraries into 26/27 have already been confirmed and then they’re looking at well beyond that, but if they don’t know the conditions under which they’ll be able to operate it does make it an unappealing option.”
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The Australian dollar is also weak, which is having an impact.
However, Katz said the billions of dollars the industry generates for the nation was set to be a higher figure than ever this year.
9News has contacted the federal government for comment.
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