The tourism industry wants a world-class cruise ship terminal for Auckland that will meet the new super city's needs for the future.
Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said today the industry's preference was for a $97 million cruise ship facility and public open space on Queens Wharf.
He said the industry was not in favour of a short-term option or temporary-fix facility that won't meet the long term demands of the lucrative cruise market.
"The cruise market is being driven by high-spending baby boomers and is growing faster than any other part of the New Zealand tourism industry.
"Seasonally, it is worth more than $3 million a day in foreign exchange earnings, however Auckland - and other New Zealand ports - are already struggling to cope with the burgeoning demand," Mr Cossar said.
Cruise New Zealand chairman Craig Harris said about 60,000 international cruise ship visitors had come to New Zealand so far this 2009/10 season.
Those numbers were expected to increase to nearly 105,000 by the end of the season from a total of 26 ships making 81 voyages and 421 port calls.
"Next season we forecast New Zealand will welcome a record 133,000 passengers from 31 ships, 88 voyages and 449 port calls. These are discerning and high-spending visitors who are making a significant contribution to New Zealand's economy," Mr Harris said.
Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne said with a quality cruise ship facility integrated with Auckland's transport network, the city could establish itself as a cruising "hub" in the South Pacific, enabling it to compete successfully with Sydney.
Mr Cossar said the tourism industry believed there was an opportunity for central and local government, port companies and the private sector to work together to look at ways of funding better port facilities for cruise ships in Auckland, and other key ports where facilities were in urgent need of upgrading in order to reflect New Zealand as the quality visitor destination it was.
