Based on Cruise NZ estimates — which estimated 12 visits to Gisborne in the Covid-shortened 2019/20 season brought in about $6.6 million — this season could bring in about $12m of revenue to Gisborne.
Cruise NZ chief executive Kevin O'Sullivan said while it was great to see the borders open, there was a lot of work for destination ports like Gisborne to do before November.
“I'm coming up to Gisborne as part of a workshop on August 29.
“It's critical we have cruise ships in areas like Gisborne.
“One of the reasons why we are doing workshops up and down the country is to impart information and also to find out from the community what issues there might be, and also to look at what it is going to look like when cruise ships come into a region like Gisborne — who is going to be taking visitors around, what sort of product is on offer.
“We'll be spending a few extra days in Gisborne to see what's available, so I can in turn pass that on to cruise lines.
“It's the same up and down the country with critical staff shortages and I ‘m really wanting to find out what this means for cruise tourism business throughout New Zealand and how well it will be framed by the time the main thrust happens in October/ November.
“There are issues everywhere. From what I hear it's 50-50 that some operators are not too sure how they will manage, and others that are good to go.”
