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New Zealand breaks out as one of world's top-performing cruise markets

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Joel Katz said NZ's regional ports must make sure adequate infrastructure is in place for cruise ships
New Zealand has been named as one of the world’s top performing cruise markets with a leap of 36% in passenger numbers to a record 90,184 in 2016.

This was revealed in Auckland Wednesday morning by CLIA Australasia md Joel Katz who said the New Zealand ocean cruise market has gone from strength to strength, doubling since 2012.

Katz, who was presenting New Zealand’s 2016 source market report to industry stakeholders, said New Zealand was one of only four international markets to record a double-digit increase last year, beaten only by emerging hot spot China.

New Zealand itineraries, driven by P&O Cruises Australia’s longer stay in the country and more short coastal options, led the strong domestic growth (up 177%), followed by the South Pacific (up almost 50%) and Asia (up 27%).

The 2016 figures, based on data received from Cruise Lines International Association's cruise line members which account for more than 95% of the world’s cruise passengers, show that the market penetration equated to almost 2%, ranking New Zealand sixth in the world.

Katz called on government and key stakeholders to ensure there is adequate infrastructure planning to sustain the growth.

‘With many of these cruises calling at regional ports around the New Zealand coastline, local communities benefit from the injection of valuable tourist dollars,’ he said.

He said cruise passenger spending in New Zealand during 2016 was more than NZ$85m.