Post-pandemic cruise industry 'very resilient'

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Cruise ships are back in business following the pandemic.
Photo: 123RF

Tourism providers in the Bay of Plenty are prepping for their busiest cruise season since the pandemic.

Port of Tauranga expects 113 cruise ships to call into port this summer, the second-highest number since 2018, when 116 visited.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan said seeing increased numbers of tourists was good for the region.

“Any time that you’re getting that number of passengers visiting into the region and that option of visitation and spend, particularly from an international perspective… it’s great.”

He said their focus was on moving tourists around the region, making the most of free attractions and shopping.

Nathan said the Covid-19 pandemic had increased resilience in the sector.

“It put some resilience in the industry, and unfortunately there were operators that didn’t make it through, like any business, any sector through Covid,” he said.

“With those that have and those that have subsequently had one season, I think the industry’s very resilient actually.”

Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley said businesses were excited for the return of cruise ship passengers this year.

“For some it means an incredible amount of their core business is back, especially since Covid. Last year our cruise season was a partial cruise season because it was the first since our borders opened up again, post-Covid.

“There’s a lot of excitement and anticipation.”

Port of Tauranga.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

He expected businesses to be well-staffed over summer.

“We have seen an easing of that labour shortage. It is starting to balance out, and [university] students are coming back home to make the most of working in hospitality and helping these tourism operators as well.”

Cowley said having domestic and international tourists visiting over summer would benefit the local economy.

“That really long summer provides a good balance with domestic tourists and international tourists. While they overlap, they kind of go for different activities so it provides a bit of balance across the economy.”