NZ cruise ship industry booming
22 Aug 2008
New Zealand ports are preparing for another busy cruise ship season, as more and more tourists take to the sea.
The New Zealand cruise ship industry has been rapidly growing with numbers up from 27 cruises and 19,400 passengers in the 1996/97 season to 98 cruises and 116,200 passengers in the 2007/2008 season.
North Americans account for 39% of all cruise ship visitors to the country, and 70% said that after experiencing a small taste of New Zealand, they wished to return for a longer stay.
Cruise destinations
The New Zealand cruise ship season runs from September to April. While Auckland is the most frequented destination, visitors can also disembark at 12 other ports around the country such as Tauranga (Bay of Plenty), Napier (Hawkes Bay) and Wellington.
Visitors wanting to take a more in-depth look at the country can choose from a variety of voyages up and down the country. Fiordland cruises offer breathtaking views of the rugged, mountainous South Island coastline, while trips around the sunny Bay of Islands showcase the northern part of the country.
Tourism operators are committed to expanding the ever-growing market by offering more unique and diverse cruising experiences.
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