Displaying items by tag:NZCA

Despite some progress being made over the past 12 months, this country remains in a fight to win back cruise deployment in an intensely competitive global market, the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference has heard this morning.

Cruise tourism has delivered more than $1.23 billion in economic benefits to the New Zealand economy during 2024-25, according to a report commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA).

Cruise tourism has delivered more than $1.23 billion in economic benefits to the New Zealand economy during 2024-25, according to a report commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA).

Cruise leaders and industry stakeholders last week joined New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston to discuss the direction of New Zealand’s cruise industry, putting a focus on close collaboration to achieve future prosperity.

The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) has expressed its disappointment that StatsNZ will no longer be providing cruise ship traveller and expenditure statistics due to budget and resource constraints.

The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) has hit back at Covid related criticism of the industry, citing international research that shows serious cases resulting in hospitalisation are considerably less than on land.

More than 200 tour operators, cruise executives, travel trade, regional tour office reps and others involved in the sector attended the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference yesterday. Held at the Aotea Centre, Auckland it was the first time the conference had been staged since 2019.

• Michael Mihajlov, Carnival Australia; Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises
• Thanks for everything… New Zealand Cruise Association CEO Kevin O’Sullivan and immediate past chair Debbie Summers
• Megan Porter, Norwegian Cruise Line; Gabrielle Oliver, Oceania Cruises; Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing; Tracey Brennan, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Jason Hill, Tourism Talent; Oscar Nathan, Bay of Plenty Tourism
• Blair Anderson, Waimarino Glow Worm Kayaking; Jolanda Cave, Ngai Tahu Tourism
• James Chatterley, Event Dynamics; Jason Baker, Tourism Results NZ; MC Paul Yeo, Tourism New Zealand
• Catching up at the end of the business sessions… Bianca Bratton, PONANT Expedition Cruises; Kylie Crouch, First Travel Group
• Ben Dale, Akorn Destination Management; Matthew Barnett, Chloe Barnett, both Bay of Islands Tours, Tony Brent, Akorn Destination Management

After two years of closed maritime borders, this week’s news that cruise ships can return to Aotearoa’s waters without restrictions from 31 July has been greeted with a sense of cautious optimism and relief, says the New Zealand Cruise Association.

The Prime Minister’s announcement that the maritime border will reopen without added restrictions means cruise lines can start confirming port calls and preparing ships with certainty, says the association’s chair Debbie Summers.

New Zealand Cruise Association is warning that New Zealand risks losing millions of dollars unless the Government can confirm as soon as possible when our maritime borders will reopen.

The association says the continuing lack of certainty on the future of the cruise sector is also putting at risk hundreds of ailing tourism businesses that support the cruise sector around the country.

The New Zealand Cruise Association has expressed its frustration yet again at the government’s failure to even indicate a timeline for a restart in this region. 

The association says that it is ‘most likely not until next year’, in its latest newsletter.

‘This month would ordinarily (whatever that means now) see the beginning of the New Zealand cruise season. However, port visits have reduced by 88%, with more to come.  It’s important to understand that cruise lines want to operate here but are unable to do so because of the New Zealand government prohibition on ships entering our maritime border.