Acting managing director of Tourism WA Steph Underwood accentuates the highpoints of a booming WA cruise industry. Photo: Tourism WA.
Cruises have long been affordable compared with (some) land-based alternatives. Ahead of the summer travel season, demand is robust for the cruise industry, particularly in Perth, Western Australia.
This industry has markedly picked up speed after taking a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, about 35.7 million passengers are expected to set sail in 2024, 6 per cent more than in 2019. The future looks brighter with elevated product and destination offerings, positive demographic shifts and consumers favouring cruises over land-based activities.
The spotlight continues to shine on Perth, with several travel initiatives in play, including direct flights to Europe. With a booming cruise industry, the fourth most populous city in Australia is now taking advantage of this golden bonus.
A major cruise event has proved Western Australia is a premier destination for cruise and expedition ships. WA Cruise Exchange docked in Perth in July, with dozens of cruise industry executives convening to discuss the thriving WA cruise industry.
The eighth annual event attracted more than two dozen global cruise industry leaders who sailed into WA, shining a limelight on the state’s world-class cruise tourism sector. Leading cruise lines such as Carnival, Coral Expeditions, MSC, Ponant and Royal Caribbean were among the 14 companies with executive delegates at the gathering.
Tourism WA’s acting managing director Steph Underwood elaborated on the key results to PS News that signify when and how the stated goals were achieved.
“Collaboration between cruise lines, ground handlers, ports, destinations, suppliers, and tour companies will secure more cruise visitation for WA, leading to economic growth and local job opportunities,” she said.
The Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship arrives in Fremantle Port. Photo: Tourism WA.
“Visits from more than 150 cruise ships injected more than $333 million into the WA economy in 2022-23 and created more than 1000 jobs for Western Australians. There is clearly a high demand for West Australian cruise experiences, and we expect this figure to continue to grow each year.
“Year-on-year, the economic impact of cruise tourism in WA has increased and is now above pre-pandemic levels, generating an economic impact of $333.5 million in the 2022-23 financial year compared to $228.9 million in 2018-2019.
“The announcement earlier this year that the Port of Broome will progress its First Point of Entry status to receive and process passengers will be a key driver to growing cruises in Western Australia.”
Ms Underwood also described what some of the individual and collective commitments were to the strategic priorities and plans by the many organisations.
“As cruising gains momentum, it’s an ideal opportunity to focus on the state’s world-class cruise tourism sector. The WA Government recently committed an additional $1 million over four years in the State Budget 2024-25 to grow the cruising industry and put wind in the sails of the Western Australian Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan 2023-2033.
”The Cruise WA Working Group assists and supports the implementation of the strategic plan, and works to deliver a sustainable, coordinated, and achievable future for the cruise tourism sector.
“The WA Government has also committed an additional $35.5 million to improve the popular Victoria Quay, including essential deck repairs and major fender upgrades at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, which will support cruise tourism going forward.
The capital of Western Australia, Perth, sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. Photo: Supplied.
“In terms of the focus of the cruise line operators and industry representatives who attended the exchange, their priorities strongly align with our own – to provide an exceptional visitor experience in Western Australia and grow our visitor economy.”
What are some of the factors responsible for making the Cruise Exchange a vital driver of WA’s cruise industry?
“The Western Australia Cruise Exchange has grown immensely since the inaugural conference in 2013 and is now a highly anticipated event,” Ms Underwood said.
”The exchange is a crucial driver of WA’s cruise industry as it facilitates industry relationships, showcases WA to cruise shipping industry decision-makers, and raises the profile of the state as a cruise shipping destination.
“The Ports Roundtable is a key event as part of the exchange and a valuable opportunity for both port authorities and cruise lines to discuss logistics and requirements for ships arriving into destination.”
Getting to meet and build relationships with people from across the industry was a key highlight for the attendees. Bringing together the wider tourism industry for meetings, information sharing and networking opportunities ensured the forum, once again, provided critical insights and discussions on port upgrades and impending changes that will impact cruising in WA.
The future of cruising looks optimistic as voyages are a top choice for multi-generational travel.
