New Zealand urged to prepare for upsurge in cruise visitors

The rapid growth in the cruise ship industry will prove a challenge for New Zealand's regions, says a national tourism organisation.

New research from McDermott Fairgray on the cruise ship industry, shows that an influx of larger and more luxurious cruise ships will bring in 23 per cent more passengers in the 2001/2002 season, generating $613 million in economic activity. And most of these will be from five-star cruise ships.

"We need to make sure that the regions are maximising the opportunities presented by this growth," says Craig Harris, Chairman of Cruise New Zealand.

Mr Harris says Cruise New Zealand - a marketing group with members from Tourism New Zealand, regional tourism organisations, inbound tour operators, port companies and shipping agencies - believes a strategy is needed to support the regions.

"We need to make sure that if we are attracting this number of high spending visitors to New Zealand regions that there are the appropriate activities available for them with the infrastructure to support it."

As well as the initial benefits the additional visitors bring the New Zealand tourism industry, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says there is a longer term spinoff.

"Often visitors on cruise ships have come to New Zealand for the first time, but we understand that about 40% of them return later as independent travellers."

He said tourism operators must work hard to create a quality experience for these visitors so they do want to come back "and, of course, bring their friends and family."