All aboard as cruise ships unload $275 million

Cruise ships visiting Western Australia generated $275.
  • New figures show economic value of cruise shipping nearly doubled in 2014-15
  • Cruise visits generated more than 1,100 jobs
  • WA leads Australia in growth of the cruise sector

Cruise ships visiting Western Australia generated $275.3 million towards the State's economy in 2014-15 according to figures released today by Cruise Down Under, Australia's peak cruise industry association.

Acting Tourism Minister John Day said the figures showed WA had 101 cruise ships visits in 2014-15, a 48.5 per cent increase on the previous year.

"The cruise industry is undergoing massive growth worldwide and this is paying dividends for tourism in this State," Mr Day said.

"WA leads the rest of the nation in terms of growth in the cruise sector with visiting ships generating more than $275 million in 2014-15, a $159 million increase on the previous year."

The Acting Minister said tourism was a vital industry in WA which generated about 94,000 jobs and $8.9 billion in visitor spend a year and the State Government wanted to see that figure increase to $12 billion by 2020.

"Having a strong performing cruise sector will help us achieve that goal, and in fact, we're already seeing results," he said.

"When Tourism WA and the Cruise Western Australia Committee developed the Western Australian Cruise Shipping Strategic Plan 2012-2020, the aim was to eventually increase the value of the sector to $274.4 million, so effectively that goal has been reached five years early."

The figures also show that, with the exception of Bunbury, all of the State's cruise ports recorded an increase in the number of visiting ships. Busselton welcomed its first cruise vessels to the city, with six ships entering the port.

Fremantle continues to be the most significant cruise arrival port in WA, generating $254.4 million.

Fact File

  • WA's 10 cruise destinations are Perth/Fremantle, Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Augusta, Geraldton, Exmouth, Port Hedland and Broome
  • Total passenger days in WA increased from 92,549 in 2013-14 to 199,499 in 2014-15
  • Cruise visits generated the equivalent of 1,188 full-time jobs
  • The Cruise Western Australia Committee is the peak body representing the interests of the State's cruise tourism sector
  • To view the Western Australian Cruise Shipping Plan, visit http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au
  • To download the Cruise Down Under figures, visit http://www.cruisedownunder.com/  

Tourism Minister's  office - 6552 5300