The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has launched a partnership with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) to promote the sustainable growth of cruise tourism in the region.
Under the partnership, CLIA will encourage sustainable cruise tourism, which can deliver economic and social benefits to the South Pacific.
The South Pacific is the most popular cruise destination for Australian and New Zealand cruisers, with CLIA statistics showing almost 350,000 holidaymakers from the two nations enjoyed cruises to the region last year.
“The projects implemented through this partnership will aim to serve the interests of both the SPTO member nations and the cruise lines that bring tourists to the islands,” SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said.
“Specifically, it will create a platform of information and insights for developing a coordinated and collaborative strategic plan for cruise tourism in the Pacific.”
Mr Vuidreketi said the partnership would enable South Pacific nations to better understand the cruise industry and address practical issues such as the facilities and services that cruise lines require.
“At the end of the day, for cruise lines and member nations, the partnership will provide essential information and analysis on capacity, source markets, destinations and shoreside experiences plus an assessment of challenges and constraints of operating in the region,” Mr Vuidreketi said.
“This partnership gives us the opportunity to share any major development activities and opportunities and to work towards mutually beneficial outcomes in terms of the growth of the cruise tourism sector.”