Cruise industry support waterfront stadium

Cruise industry support waterfront stadium
“It’s like a series of mini Lions tours”

The cruise industry is supporting the waterfront stadium and the options it opens up for improving cruise ship facilities in Auckland.

Cruise New Zealand chairperson Craig Harris says that the cruise industry growth is strong. “Current port facilities are often stretched. It is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the expectations of international passengers,” says Harris.

“Cruise visitors through Auckland will increase from 100,000 to over 130,000 in the next two years. Many of those passengers have a two or three night stay in Auckland. The contribution to the local economy is currently over $95million in direct spend and over 1,400 jobs,” says Harris.

On February 15th there will be two large cruise ships in Auckland with over 8,500 tourists either joining or leaving the ship on that day. “The cruise industry is like of perpetual and growing series of mini Lions tours,” said Harris.

Cruise New Zealand have commenced discussions with the waterfront stadium architects Warren & Mahoney to see how a top-notch cruise terminal could be incorporated into the waterfront stadium, and say there are some very good synergies.

“Auckland needs to look at this option for a new cruise terminal, or get on with looking at one along Queen’s Wharf,” says Harris. “Either way, what’s really important is that we get on with addressing the growth in our industry and redevelopment of our waterfront.”

“Building a stadium in the right place on the waterfront will help push along reshaping the waterfront, changing the way we use it, and building a more diversified Auckland economy.”

ENDS

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