Cruise Potential For Great Keppel Bay

The Australian Cruise Association (ACA) held their 25th annual conference in Wollongong early September, it seems to be shaping up to be a very promising few years for the Cruise industry with a $40 billion investment price tag.

With a hefty price tag like that, it’s no wonder that this year alone there has been a total of 14 cruise ships constructed, with a projected 72 vessels to have been created by 2028. It’s rumoured that the total number of global cruise guests will reach the 40 million mark by 2026 – a jump of 10 million since last reported in 2019. 

Between the months of October 2023 and April 2024, it is predicted that there will be a whopping 70 cruise ships in Australian Waters – which is 10 more than what was recorded pre-COVID pandemic. The large influx of guests to our shores is great news for the Tourism industry after a few years of recovery. 

On top of this, ‘Expedition Cruising’ which is a smaller scale, luxury cruising style expects 60 new vessels to be completed by 2028. These cruisers are even more likely to seek sustainable experiences which visit destinations offering boutique and authentic experiences which reflect the preservation of land, wildlife, people and culture of the local area. These expedition cruises complement the sustainability values of Keppel Bay and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with opportunities here for on-shore excursions on both Great Keppel Island and the Capricorn Coast. 

All in all the future of the cruise industry appears incredibly promising, with substantial investments, growing numbers of cruise ships, and a focus on sustainable and authentic experiences. The horizon looks bright for both enthusiasts and the tourism industry alike.