Paddock to Port Alliance launches to support cruise

August 4, 2026 - Australian farmers, food suppliers, tourism operators, travel agents, ports and cruise industry leaders have today united in Sydney to launch the Australian Paddock to Port Alliance, a new national campaign making the economic case for a strong and competitive cruise sector.
Launched at Select Fresh Providores in St Peters, the new Alliance and national campaign will highlight the businesses behind every cruise ship visit, from the produce loaded on board and the suppliers who deliver it, to the hotels, tour operators, transport providers, retailers and regional communities that benefit when cruise ships choose Australia.
According to the Australia’s Paddock to Port Economic Impact Report released today, cruise contributes more than A$7.3 billion in annual economic activity in Australia and supports more than 22,000 Australian jobs. Cruise lines spend around A$1.5 billion in Australia each year, supporting suppliers, service providers, port operations and the wider visitor economy.
Across Australia, cruise passengers spend around A$1.8 billion, including on accommodation, shore excursions, retail, transport, dining and other visitor spending. Passenger spending includes almost A$400 million on food and beverages ashore, around A$250 million on shore excursions, around A$210 million on retail purchases and around A$210 million on transportation.
Quotes attributable to Joel Katz, Executive Director, Cruise Lines International Association
“Cruise is more than ships. It is an Australian economic ecosystem that supports businesses, jobs and communities across the country. However, the sector's economic contribution has fallen by almost A$1 billion.”
“Cruise lines have been warning that Australia is becoming uncompetitive as a destination and risks losing cruise tourism to other countries, due to regulatory uncertainties and rising costs. This is despite the fact that demand is very strong and Aussies are cruising in record numbers.”
“Every cruise that comes to Australia creates activity before, during and after the voyage, from the food loaded on board, to the hotels passengers stay in, the tours they book, the transport they use and the local businesses they support.”
“We are asking for stable, practical and competitive settings so Australia can continue to attract cruise ships, passengers and investment.”
Quotes attributable to Steve Biviano, Group Director of Sales & Cruise Supply, Select Fresh Providores
“For businesses like ours, cruise is not an abstract industry. It is real orders, real produce, real staff and real planning.”
“On an average 10-day cruise, a ship can consume around 3,500 kilograms of watermelons, 1,400 kilograms of tomatoes, 4,000 litres of milk, 4,000 dozen fresh eggs, 3,200 kilograms of chicken and 2,000 kilograms of beef.”
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Quotes attributable to Michael Guerin, Chief Executive Officer, National Farmers’ Federation
“When ships are provisioned in Australia, they create demand for fresh produce, meat, dairy, seafood, wine and other Australian goods.”
“Cruise may start at the port, but the economic activity reaches back to paddocks, processing facilities, transport networks and regional businesses.”
Quotes attributable to Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director, Business Sydney
“Sydney is Australia’s gateway to international cruise visitors, but we must also compete with destinations around the world for ships, visitors and tourism dollars.
“Cruising certainly matters for Sydney’s business community. When a cruise ship arrives in Sydney, it brings more than passengers to the harbour.
“It delivers spending to hotels, restaurants, cafes, retailers, transport providers, attractions and local services.
"In short, cruise ships represent a huge economic boost to our wonderful city.”
Quotes attributable to Margy Osmond, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism and Transport Forum
“Cruise is not a narrow industry issue. It is a whole-of-economy issue that supports farmers, suppliers, travel agents, hotels, tourism operators, transport providers, ports, regional communities and city economies.”
“The numbers are significant, but the real story is the breadth of businesses and jobs connected to every ship visit, the people whose livelihoods depend on a strong cruise economy.”
“Australia is competing globally for ships, itineraries and visitors. Stable, practical and competitive settings are essential if we want to keep the economic benefits of cruise in Australia.”
The Alliance will work with suppliers, tourism operators, ports, regional businesses and industry partners to demonstrate the value of cruise to Australian jobs, regional economies and holiday choice, and to advocate for stable, practical and competitive settings that keep more cruise activity in Australia.