By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas opened Wellington’s seven-month cruise season when it arrived in the New Zealand port on 7 October.
The 2,500-guest vessel brought the first of more than 140,000 passengers expected to arrive at the port this year. The cruise industry is also expected to inject around NZ$36 million into Wellington’s economy, with cruise passengers visiting many of the city’s attractions such as the Wellington Cable Car, Te Papa and Weta Cave.
“Over the past five years, cruise ship visits to Wellington have increased by 131 per cent, with visitors spending on average of NZ$130 per passenger while docked in the coolest little cruise capital in the world,” said David Perks, CEO of Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT). “From introducing tours to time in with ship schedules, or employing more staff to help cover double cruise ship days, many of the capital’s businesses are making the most of the opportunities this sector offers.”