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New Zealand finally lifts cruise ship ban

The New Zealand Cruise Association welcomed the country’s maritime border reopening to international cruise ships at midnight July 31.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

August 1, 2022

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

‘It has finally happened,’ CEO Kevin O’Sullivan said. ‘It has been a long time coming.'

The last time a foreign-flagged cruise ship docked in New Zealand was March 2020 and the first to re-enter will be P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer on August 12.

‘The return of cruise ships is another boost for local communities,’ Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said.

NZ$500m a year

‘Pre-pandemic their visits were worth in excess of NZ$500m a year, providing a valuable economic contribution to our regions,’ Nash said.

O’Sullivan said hard work is needed to make the coming cruise season, which begins in October, a success. 

Workshops

He said the NZCA, in partnership with Regional Tourism New Zealand and regional tourism organisations, has been holding workshops to prepare communities for cruising's return.

He said they have already been held in Napier, Auckland and Wellington, with Dunedin (August 2), Tauranga (August 5), Bay of Islands (August 10), Gisborne (August 30) and Picton (September 6) to follow.

NZCA 2022

Meantime, the NZCA annual conference, which has been postponed for the last two years,  will be held in Auckland on August 18.

‘We are thrilled to have a strong representation from the cruise lines and tourism industry,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘Panel discussions are sure to be lively and include some provocative, challenging and hot topics.'

A networking function will be held for delegates to mix with speakers and other participants.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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