Cruises a big business for Bay

New Zealand's biggest cruise ship season to date contributed more than $37 million to the Bay of Plenty economy.

Cruise New Zealand has released its annual economic impact report revealing 211,430 passengers visited New Zealand on cruise ships in the 2012/13 financial year, pumping $310 million into the economy.

Destination Rotorua Marketing general manager Oscar Nathan said up to 75 per cent of tourists landing at the Port of Tauranga make it over the hill to Rotorua.

"We do so because we are such a strong and popular draw card for day visitation with many pre-booked onshore excursions confirmed prior to docking given we are a must-see destination of New Zealand," he said.

Cruise New Zealand chairman Craig Harris said there had been a 21.6 per cent growth in passenger arrivals and a 7.3 per cent increase in tourist spend nationally, compared to the 2011/12 season.

"It's especially encouraging to see an increase in the number of American cruise passengers," he said.

While Australians still dominate cruise arrivals at 53 per cent, the American market grew by 17 per cent.

While Auckland captured the lion's share of the cruise sector's economic benefits at $116 million, the Bay of Plenty did not miss out with an estimated $37.4 million in economic value to the region.

Forecasts for the 2013/14 season are similar, even though there are four less cruise ships booked to visit New Zealand.

Mr Nathan said he had seen a change in cruise ship travellers coming to Rotorua with a shift from North Americans to Australians, and in the next three years South East Asia and China.

"Cruise is a significantly important segment for Rotorua and offers a lot of opportunity for our operators.

"Whilst a number of our larger attraction operators are included in the pre-arranged itineraries, there is also a growing trend toward day touring shuttles and itineraries as well, and this provides a constant opportunity to include new and niche experience and operators," Mr Nathan said.

The 2012/13 cruise ship season:

• 
  37 ships
• 
  129 voyages
• 
  763 total days in port
• 
  211,430 passengers - 82,400 crew
• 
  $310 million value to the national economy
• 
  5330 jobs
• 
  $37.4 million in economic value to the Bay of Plenty region