National focus needed to revive Australia's cruise economy

September 3, 2026 – Australia needs to adopt an urgent national approach to developing cruise tourism to reverse the country’s declining competitiveness and protect the 22,000 Australian jobs that rely on international cruising, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Global President & CEO Bud Darr has said.

During a visit for the Australian Cruise Association conference in Brisbane, Mr Darr warned that the economic benefits of cruise tourism were in decline in Australia, despite strong growth internationally and record levels of demand in the local market.

“We shed A$1.1 billion year-on-year in terms of cruising’s economic contribution in Australia last financial year, against a total economic output of $7.3 billion,” Mr Darr said. “That means Australia is missing out on economic opportunities, and that impacts communities and people throughout the country.”

CLIA and cruise lines have warned that the economic benefits of cruising have declined as fewer ships visit Australian waters. Rising costs and a lack of stable long-term regulatory settings have reduced Australia’s competitiveness as a destination and its ability to attract cruise ships.

Mr Darr said he had heard clear support for cruise tourism among Australian destinations, businesses and communities, but greater coordination was needed at government levels to revive Australia’s competitiveness. He said while state and territory governments had voiced strong support for the economic value and Australian employment that cruise delivers, a national approach coordinated federally was needed to achieve the right policy settings for success.

Mr Darr said the impact of declining cruise ship deployment was being felt across a broad section of the Australian economy, affecting farmers, food producers, transport companies, hotels, tourism operators, travel advisors and regional communities.

This was a key message of the recently launched Australian Paddock to Port Alliance, in which cruise industry suppliers have united to highlight the importance of cruising to local businesses around the country. Launched last month in partnership with CLIA and cruise lines, the Alliance is part of a campaign for more stable and nationally coordinated policy settings to support cruise tourism.