Cruisy economy

Figures from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) on the economic and social impact of cruise tourism shows the 2023/2024 season generated $5.3 million for the local economy. Total cruise tourist expenditure was between $23 and $35 million.

The NZIER report for ChristchurchNZ revealed a positive view of cruise tourism, with 69% of local businesses seeing it as important for their business, and 68% describing cruise tourism as having a ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ impact on their revenue. Cruise operations are estimated to have contributed $5.3 million to the local region, with total cruise tourist expenditure between $23 and $35 million, and an average spend of $146 per person in the central city alone.

The report indicated a largely positive view of cruise tourism by Christchurch businesses and residents. When asked about the overall contribution of cruise tourism to the local region, 79% of business respondents indicated a positive or extremely positive impact.

Businesses identified ‘creating a ‘buzz’ around products and services’ (47.4%) and ‘increasing customer diversity’ (42.1%) as the key non-economic benefits of cruise tourism. The number of cruise ships visiting Christchurch has increased post-Covid due to the opening of a purpose-built cruise berth, allowing the return of large ships to Lyttelton in 2022, the first time since the earthquakes.

Residents surveyed by NZIER were largely positive about cruise tourism. When asked about the impact of the most recent cruise season, 85% of residents reported a positive or neutral perception. Central City residents expressed more positivity compared to those in Lyttelton and Akaroa, where responses were more mixed, with 36% indicating both positive and negative impacts.