Cruise market buoyant in Bay

Nichola Edgecombe, Reese King, Mandy Hooper, Jane Hudson and Brooke Wanoa. Photo / Supplied

Cruiseabout Tauranga has won the central North Island Retail NZ Top Shop Awards, reflecting the strong growth of the Bay of Plenty cruise market.

Cruiseabout's Tauranga office beat Bike Barn Taupo, Barkers Garage Hamilton, Mitre 10 Mega Hamilton, Mitre 10 Mega Te Awamutu and Warehouse Stationary, at The Base Hamilton, for the top award.

Cruiseabout is the specialist cruise division of Flight Centre New Zealand. Cruiseabout spokesman Danny Bodger said it was a fantastic achievement for the Tauranga store and a credit to team leader Nichola Edgecombe and staff members Reese King, Mandy Hooper, Brooke Wanoa and Jane Hudson.

"Winning this award is a real testament to their hard work and commitment to their clients."

Cruising was one of the fastest-growing sectors of the travel industry, with demand continuing to grow year on year, particularly in Tauranga, he said.

"The continued demand for cruise holidays is largely due to consumer confidence, affordability and the increasing variety of cruise ships that are coming down to New Zealand's waters."

A record 23 million passengers were expected to take cruises in 2015 within the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for almost 10 per cent of the global market, making it the world's fastest-growing cruise region.

Ms Edgecombe said the firm had experienced a busy few months with locals also taking advantage of competitive pricing. Current hot cruise destinations included Australia, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean and Alaska.

"We've seen a massive increase in inbound and outbound cruise demand in the five-and-half years we've been here."

While the majority of clients preferred to fly out to cruise destinations, boarding in Auckland or Tauranga was a popular option.

"A lot of people are interested in just getting on at Tauranga, going round New Zealand then flying home from Sydney, for example."

Industry association Cruise New Zealand said the sector supported about 6818 jobs in New Zealand in 2013-14, including 778 in the Bay of Plenty, and estimated the sector's economic impact on the country would grow from $365 million in 2013-14 to $421.5 million in 2014-15. Passengers accounted for $273 million, vessel-related spending was $63.6 million and crew-related spend was $28.7 million.

The 2013-14 season saw 202,700 passengers on 33 cruise vessels, which made 119 voyages in New Zealand waters.