Cruise Ship Strategy

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister update the council about the exciting activity with respect to cruise ships in Adelaide and the regions of South Australia?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:36): Thank you, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: I did note, the Hon. Mr Hood, that you used the word 'exciting', which was an imputation. Please refrain from it in the future. The Hon. Mr Ridgway.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It is pleasing to know that the honourable member has an ongoing interest in the cruise ship sector. A record number of cruise ships are sailing into South Australia this month, signalling a bumper season for our local tourism operators and other businesses, and it is worth more than $118 million to our state's economy.

There will be 34 cruise ship visits, including Cunard's Queen Elizabeth ocean liner and Silversea Cruises' newest flagship Silver Muse, with a total capacity of 62,681 passengers and crew docking in South Australian ports in February. Never before have we seen so many cruise ships come to South Australia in one month. We are delighted to welcome interstate and international passengers and showcase all that our wonderful state has to offer.

The boom is the combination of a dedicated government push to grow our cruise ship tourism market, which will have significant flow-on economic benefits for the local tourism operators, as well as cafes, restaurants and retailers. All up this season, from October 2018 to March 2019, we will see 82 cruise ships visit across South Australia, including five overnight stays, a 23 per cent increase on last year, which, as I said, will generate more than $180 million for our state's economy.

The month began with the arrival of P&O's Pacific Eden at Kangaroo Island, one of the 10 cruise ships to visit there, and it includes another 19 ships at Port Adelaide's Passenger Terminal, Outer Harbor, including one overnight, while Port Lincoln will welcome five ships, including one overnight. Port Lincoln will actually enjoy its first ever double-header, with two ships, the Astor and the Pacific Jewel, in the port on one day, 20 February, in what will be a very busy time for that regional city.

Other highlights include the maiden visit of Silversea Cruises' newest flagship, Silver Muse, a six-star luxury cruise ship, to Kangaroo Island. Both the Queen Elizabeth and the Astor arrived in Adelaide on the same day, 8 February, and have eight ex-Adelaide return itineraries. March is also busy, with 12 cruise ships scheduled, including Port Lincoln's first overnight stop, with the Astor staying over on 2 to 3 March and a maiden visit by the Viking Sun, concluding a record season of 84 ships visiting the state.

The Marshall government has launched the South Australian Cruise Ship Strategy 2020 to help the record-breaking cruise industry reach new heights, drive tourism growth and support more regional jobs. The new strategy provides a blueprint for South Australia to continue to grow the sector and maximise the tourism, economic and job opportunities in this lucrative industry.

The SATC has developed this strategy with an ambitious goal of 100 cruise ships to visit South Australian ports and anchorages, contributing $200 million to the state's economy by 2020. Employment will be stimulated both in Adelaide and regional areas such as Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln with the introduction of new itineraries. Local retailers and operators will see flow-on benefits, too, with passengers spending more per day to create more tangible economic benefits.

With more home porting out of Adelaide this will also stimulate pre and post stays for domestic and interstate passengers embarking and disembarking on these cruises. Our visitor economy is currently at a record-breaking $6.9 billion and the cruise ship strategy is a key part in delivering our $8 billion target and will continue to be as we set our sights on 2020.