Bonanza in cruise ships predicted

By SCOTT MacLEOD transport reporter

The number of people visiting New Zealand on cruise ships is forecast to double within two years, pumping millions into the economy but testing our tourist facilities.

A new projection shows that Ports of Auckland alone will handle 56,000 passengers in the 2002-2003 cruise ship season - up from 32,000 this year and 26,000 last year.

The surge is part of a worldwide boom in the cruise industry and reflects Auckland's growing status as a South Pacific hub for tourism.

But it also raises questions as to whether the city's port and airport facilities can cope.

The projections were made after the Seatrade conference in Miami two weeks ago which gave tourist operators an outline of cruise trends.

Cruise NZ chairman Craig Harris said liners had visited the country's ports 240 times in the latest cruise season - which runs from November to April - and were expected to visit 380 times next season and 440 the season after - and the ships were getting bigger.

Passengers spent $80 million this season, which caused a flow-on benefit to the economy of $280 million and supported 1400 fulltime jobs.

Auckland reaped $20 million in direct spending, with a flow-on benefit of $60 million.



"The problem is how to handle all this growth in Auckland," Mr Harris said. "We could end up with three ships in port at once, with 4500 people, so it's quite a challenge."

The challenge would be greatest at Ports of Auckland and at Auckland Airport, where only 1000 people could pass through the international terminal in a short time as they left or joined their cruise liners.

Ports spokeswoman Karren Beanland said Princes Wharf was already "very good" for cruise ships, and planners were looking at upgrading facilities on Queen's Wharf.

Auckland Airport spokeswoman Margaret Peacocke said facilities there would be able to cope with the numbers. The airport liaised with customs and immigration officials to help beat bottlenecks.

Cruise ships typically visit Fiordland and five ports in New Zealand, then three in Australia. Passengers are thought to spend an average of $150 a day each while in port, but shipping companies and their crew also spend money.

Hospitality Association regional manager Graeme McKay said much cash was spent on the Auckland waterfront, but tourist firms as far away as Rotorua benefited from day-trips organised for passengers.

One beneficiary this year was Austin's Food Design Events of Auckland, which catered a "society dinner" for 500 to 600 people from the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 at $US175 ($430) a head.

Managing director Maggie Weatherhead said her firm had since received another two or three bookings from cruise companies and seemed to have found a niche.

Aotea NZ Souvenirs general manager Stewart Brown said his Albert St store noticed a surge in sales whenever the more luxurious cruise liners docked.

Cruise NZ's Mr Harris said 40 per cent of cruise passengers returned to New Zealand.

Auckland and Sydney were emerging as the most important cruise ship hubs in the South Pacific.

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