Aussies are in love with cruising.
The number of people taking a cruise holiday surged by a record 34 per cent last year - outstripping all other major international markets, with the UK posting a five per cent increase in passengers and the US recording a four per cent rise.
Of 22.9 million Australians, 623,294 took a cruise last year according to the Australian Cruise Industry Report, by umbrella body the International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA).
Cruise officials attributed the growth to the broadening range of cruise ship holidays on offer in Australia, as well as increasing awareness of the value that cruise holidays offer, with all-inclusive fares covering accommodation, transport and meals.
"Every year we are seeing more cruise ships based in Australia and more ships visiting our shores, taking the profile of cruising to new heights and prompting an unprecedented number of Australians to take to the seas for their holidays," ICCA chairman Gavin Smith said in a statement on Monday.
The majority of the nation's cruise passengers came from NSW (40 per cent), followed by Queensland (24 per cent), Victoria (16 per cent) and WA (nine per cent).
The South Pacific retained its position as the most popular destination for Australians, attracting 37 per cent of passengers last year.
Source : AAP
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