Brisbane has been announced as the host city for the 2026 Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Annual Conference and AGM, cementing its position as one of the nation’s leading cruise gateways.
The decision follows what ACA described as the most competitive bidding process in the event’s history, with strong submissions received from cruise destinations across the country. Brisbane’s winning bid was led by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), working in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and Port of Brisbane.
The conference will take place from 2–4 September 2026 at the Brisbane Marriott Hotel, with around 160 delegates expected, including cruise line executives, port and destination representatives, tour operators, and other industry stakeholders.
A highlight of the program will be a dedicated Queensland famil showcasing the state’s diverse cruise offering to domestic and international executives, including visits to the Whitsundays and Gladstone.
ACA CEO Jill Abel said Brisbane was a standout host city thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, collaborative industry approach and access to iconic regional destinations.
“The opening of the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal in 2022 has positioned the city as a major player in Australia’s cruise sector, capable of accommodating the world’s largest vessels,” she said. “Coupled with BEDA’s Cruise Tourism Trade-Ready Program, which has supported the development of innovative visitor experiences, Brisbane is perfectly placed to welcome our 2026 event.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the announcement was a major opportunity for the city.
“As Australia’s lifestyle capital, our world-class tourism economy is booming – and we want the cruise industry to get onboard,” he said. “This conference is a fantastic chance to showcase Brisbane’s riverfront precincts, coastal attractions and lush hinterland to cruise leaders.”
Anthony Ryan, CEO of BEDA, described hosting the event as “a powerful endorsement of Brisbane’s momentum as a cruise and events destination,” while Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell highlighted the alignment with the state’s long-term Destination 2045 plan to position Queensland as Australia’s events capital.
The numbers back up Brisbane’s growing clout in cruise tourism. The city welcomed 196 ship arrivals in 2023/24, making it Australia’s second-largest cruise port, and is expected to see more than 150 calls in the 2024/25 season. Each ship visit contributes over $1 million to the Queensland economy, with the state’s cruise sector generating $2.4 billion in economic output last financial year.
Nationally, cruise tourism contributed $8.43 billion in 2023/24 and supported more than 26,000 jobs.
Featured Image: (L – R) Brendan Connell, Port of Brisbane, Therese Phillips, Tourism and Events Queensland, Jill Abel, Australian Cruise Association, Tas Webber, Brisbane Economic Development Agency
