A silver lining - more ships to SA

In some what of a ‘silver lining’ for South Australia’s multi-million dollar cruise industry, the state is set to welcome an additional 12 cruise ships to its shores after cruise lines repositioned due to coronavirus prevention measures.

The additional cruise ships visiting South Australia and extending the 2019/20 cruise season until late May, includes an extra five ships visiting Adelaide, four to Kangaroo Island and three to Port Lincoln. These changes in scheduling have increased the overall number of cruise ship visits to South Australia for the 2019/20 season to 85, with a potential capacity of 186,378 passengers and crew.

South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive Rodney Harrex welcomed the extra ships and the visitors it will bring to the state’s regions.

“The South Australian cruise industry provides a huge multi-million economic boost to the state’s economy every year, and this cruise season, with an additional 12 ship visits and an extension until late May, will bring much-needed extra visitors and dollars into the state,” said Mr Harrex.

“It’s been an unprecedented start to the year for tourism with all of our state’s regions feeling a flow-on effect – we’re committed to supporting the sector as it recovers, our #BookThemOut campaign is an example of that support, and we’ve been working closely with cruise operators so when these extra ships arrive in our regions, they have a range of tours and experiences to offer their passengers and the regions get the most out of each visit.

“Looking at Port Lincoln, in South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, the extra three newly scheduled cruise ship visits there will bring an extra 3,000 passenger and crew to the region, meaning more people out and about experiencing Port Lincoln’s attractions, more people spending in local shops, cafes, boutiques and businesses, and more people who are likely to return because they like what they see,” he said.

The 2018-19 South Australian cruise ship season contributed $145 million to the state’s economy. In addition to the economic contribution the cruise industry brings to South Australia, it also showcases Adelaide and its regional destinations to thousands of potential return visitors.