Eden's summer cruise season for 2023/24 has been the busiest on record for the region, with cruise ship visits up more than 20% compared with the previous summer season.
The successful season will see 41 ship visits bring over 70,000 passengers and 30,000 crew into Eden, NSW's largest regional cruise port.
This is expected to inject an estimated $19 million into the local economy, based on previous data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
As Eden's summer cruise season for 2023/24 sails towards its close, the final 2 ships are completing their visits to enjoy all the region has to offer.
The second last ship of the season, Norwegian Spirit, docked today in Snug Cove, bringing more than 2000 cruise passengers.
Eden has successfully demonstrated its capability to handle visits from some of the largest international cruise ships sailing into NSW.
Bookings are made 3 years in advance, so while the upcoming 2024/25 season was affected by COVID with around 25 ships expected to visit, more growth is expected for the summer season 2025/26, with 47 cruise ships already booked.
Port Authority NSW is responsible for facilitating cruise ship visits into Port of Eden which includes pilotage of vessels into the Eden Cruise Wharf.
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen
"I'm thrilled to be celebrating this enormously successful cruise season, which has brought huge economic benefits and fond memories for those lucky enough to have visited this summer.
"By the official end of the summer season on 6 April, there will have been over 100,000 cruise passengers and crew sailing into the Port of Eden, making it one of the most significant drivers of the region's tourism industry.
"Passengers are spoilt for choice on the Sapphire Coast with options to visit nearby towns such as Bega and Merimbula, and famous attractions such as the Eden Killer Whale Museum, and Wheeler's Oyster Farm, just to name a few.
"According to data from Cruise Lines International Association, each domestic cruise passenger spends on average $197 per day while in port which helps to boost NSW regional economies."
Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister John Graham
"Eden is our state's largest regional port. Cruise passengers make a vital contribution to the town's economy when they visit the port and when they come ashore to spend money in local businesses.
"Everyone benefits from the jobs and business that cruise passengers and our cruise industry bring to Eden.
"Regional ports across the state have been especially keen to see the increase in cruise visitors because they provide such a boost to our local tourism operators."
Quotes attributable to Michael Holland MP, Member for Bega:
"There's such a wonderful community atmosphere in Eden when cruise ships come to town.
"Volunteer Welcome Ambassadors do a wonderful job welcoming visitors and ensuring they make the most of everything our region has to offer.
"I'm pleased we've seen such a successful cruise season this year and look forward to its continued growth in the years to come."
Quotes attributable to Port Authority CEO Philip Holliday:
"When you reflect on the last two summer cruise seasons, we've seen around 70 ships sail into Eden, and we're anticipating a future boom.
"Port Authority is working to secure the future growth of the cruise industry in NSW through investment in our regional ports.
"We are also bolstering on-the-ground resources on cruise days and recently appointed a dedicated Port Authority Eden Cruise Operations Supervisor to further support the day-to-day cruise operations and cruise lines when cruise ships are in port."
