These figures have just been released in the annual economic impact report commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA).
The figures represent one of the highest annual economic impacts ever seen in Australia, driven by sustained levels of passenger spending in destinations around the country.
However, the result is also a $1.11 billion decline (-13.2%) from the record economic output shown in 2023-24, highlighting concerns about Australia’s loss of cruise tourism to other countries.
“Australia’s cruise community has been warning for some time that we risk losing tourism to other countries because of a difficult regulatory environment and high operating costs,” said Joel Katz, CLIA Managing Director in Australasia.
“This report confirms we face headwinds and that action is needed to create a better environment for cruising in Australia.”
Jill Abel, ACA Chief Executive Officer, said cruise ships had visited 56 ports and destinations around Australia during 2024-25, though the number of ship visits had decreased by 2.7% to 1,700 port days.
“Cruise visits create a huge windfall for businesses around the country, many of which are small-to-medium sized operators like local tour companies, shops, restaurants, travel agents, farmers and other suppliers,” Mrs Abel added.
“Cruise passengers spent more than $1.82 billion around Australia last year, but this was down 5.9% because there were fewer ship visits.
“Australia needs to create a coordinated national approach to cruise tourism, bringing together all elements of government and industry, so that we can return to growth and maximise the benefits to local communities.”
CLIA and the ACA are calling for a national action plan across Federal, State and Territory governments to support cruise tourism, improve Australia’s competitiveness, attract more ships, safeguard jobs and create greater economic opportunities in destinations around the country.
The Value of Cruise Tourism economic impact assessment for Australia was prepared by AEC Group on behalf of CLIA and the ACA.
Its key findings for 2024-25 show:
# A total economic output of $7.32 billion nationally (down 13.2% over 2023-24), including direct output of $3.08 billion and indirect/induced output of $4.24 billion.
# Total employment of 22,720 full time equivalent positions nationally (down 13.8%), with total wages of $2.36 billion (down 16.9%).
# A total of 56 Australian ports and destinations visited (up 14.2%), welcoming 1,700 ship visit days (down 2.7%).
# A total of 4.1 million passenger visit days (down 2.7%).
# Total direct passenger expenditure of $1.82 billion (down 5.9%) and direct crew expenditure of $53.7 million (down 11.2%).
# An average passenger spend per day on shore of $440 per person (down 1.1%).
