New partnership for South Pacific cruise sector
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A new partnership has been formed that will aim to promote and develop the cruise industry in the South Pacific.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has penned an agreement with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), which the two parties say will aim to “encourage sustainable cruise tourism” in the region. The partnership was announced during the UN Small Islands Developing States meeting, which is taking place in Samoa this week.
“The projects implemented through this partnership will aim to serve the interests of both the SPTO member nations and the cruise lines that bring tourists to the islands,” said SPTO chief executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi. “Specifically, it will create a platform of information and insights for developing a coordinated and collaborative strategic plan for cruise tourism in the Pacific.”
Vuidreketi added that the partnership would enable South Pacific nations to better understand the cruise industry and address practical issues such as the facilities and services that cruise lines require.
“At the end of the day, for cruise lines and member nations, the partnership will provide essential information and analysis on capacity, source markets, destinations and shoreside experiences plus an assessment of challenges and constraints of operating in the region,” he said.
“This partnership gives us the opportunity to share any major development activities and opportunities and to work towards mutually beneficial outcomes in terms of the growth of the cruise tourism sector.”
The South Pacific is the most popular destination for Australian and New Zealand cruisers, with CLIA statistics showing that almost 350,000 passengers from the two nations undertook cruises to the region last year.
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