22 April 2013

Last Cruise Ship Tops Off Capital Season

After welcoming a record number of cruise ships and passengers to the capital, Wellington tomorrow bids farewell to its final ship for the 2012/2013 season.

“It’s fitting that the last ship of the season was also the first. Radiance of the Seas, with a capacity of over 2500 passengers, kicked off the season back in October 2012,” says Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive, David Perks.

“Since then, the capital has played host to 90 ships and over 172,000 passengers – up 34% on last season.”

Wellington City Council’s Economy Portfolio Leader, Councillor Jo Coughlan says the industry’s impact on Wellington’s economy has increased yet again.

“The full cruise season is forecast to have an economic impact of approximately $35 million – and with average passenger spend estimated at $130, you can see why cruise visitors to Wellington have a huge effect on both the retail and hospitality sectors in the city.

“Wellington’s bumper summer season would no doubt have encouraged visitors to venture downtown to enjoy the capital but, in order to reap the benefits of the fastest growing tourism sector, businesses must continue to adapt to meet the cruise market’s unique needs.”

Along with 15 double cruise ship days; Wellington also enjoyed its first ever triple day - where three ships were in port simultaneously.

Mr Perks says “in addition to the capital experiencing its busiest December and January months ever, the record number of cruise ships and passengers to Wellington has rounded out a positively strong summer period for the city.”

Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT)

PWT is the regional tourism organisation for Wellington. It is a council-controlled organisation primarily funded by Wellington City Council through the Downtown Levy, a targeted rate paid by commercial ratepayers in downtown Wellington.

Wellington Tourism statistics

• Visitors spend over $2600 in the Wellington region per minute - $1.4 billion every year. (Source: Ministry of Economic Development Regional Tourism Data).
• Over four million visits are made to Wellington every year: 750,000 international and over 3.4 million domestic. (Source: Ministry of Economic Development Regional Tourism Data).

ENDS

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