Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 12

19 20 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 12 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 12 increased engagement with stakeholders, the cruise community, and the general public. The organisation supports a range of industry members including ports, cruise lines, Regional Tourism Organisations, local government authorities, ground handlers, shipping agents, airlines, tour operators, providores, and service operators. Members are backed by regional and national advocacy that supports cruise-friendly legislation, maintains the nation’s reputation as a world-class cruise destination, and deepens understanding of the cruise sector as an economic, social, and environmental contributor to New Zealand’s continued positive growth. The association also provides key insights into global cruise-related developments, innovation, news, and trends, including research and statistics specific to New Zealand operators. CEO Kevin O’Sullivan shares his knowledge surrounding NZCA’s important role throughout New Zealand. “In our beginnings, NZCA did a lot of work to grow the market here in New Zealand and attract international travellers from areas such as Europe, North America, and Australia. We led positive interaction and collaboration with varying levels of government, attended global cruise events, such as the Seatrade Cruise Global conference and exhibition in Miami, for networking purposes and to raise awareness of the benefits of cruise holidays in our region. Since then, we have pivoted to focus more on operational and infrastructural specifics, and to support our members in that sphere so they can continue to contribute to the success of our cruise sector.” New Zealand’s cruise sector boosts the nation’s economy through various channels, including taxes and fees, and support of associated businesses both large and small; ports and regional suppliers, tourism operators, hotels and hospitality organisations, retailers, travel agents, transport operators, food and beverage suppliers, and more. The industry brought $570 million to New Zealand’s economy in its last operative season. Mr. O’Sullivan explains that the association’s support has never been more important for NZCA members than it is today. Prior to the introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic, NZCA serviced 100 company members. Currently, the association has approximately 85 members across Gold (Hoe Urungi/Steering Paddle), Silver (Raa Ngongohau/Head Sail), Bronze (Raa Matua/ Main Sail), and Associate (Raa Tanake/Mizzen Sail) tiers. Members range from owner operated businesses through to large organisations and franchise operators; Mr. O’Sullivan says the diversity of NZCA’s members is of great benefit to the sector. “Our motto is ‘He Waka Eke Noa’, which means, ‘We are all in this canoe together’. That is the base premise of what we do as an organisation. We unite all parties with a shared interest in New Zealand cruise tourism under the common purpose or goal of supporting and growing the cruise sector. The pandemic has been catastrophic to our sector, and to the wider tourism and travel industries across the world. Overnight, we went from an industry that was growing between 10% and 15% each year to absolutely zero growth. As of March 2020, New Zealand’s cruise season came to a complete halt. So it is incredibly important to us that we support our members through this time, and right now, we are working very closely with local operators to prepare them for the eventual resurgence of our cruise market.” NZCA is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. From this location, the association fosters relationships with a number of strategic partners, including Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Cruise Europe, the Australian Cruise Association, and the Cruise Lines International Association. This global network of tourism and cruise sector organisations meets each year to discuss items of mutual interest via Miami’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference and exhibition, as well as intermittent online seminars and email communications. NZCA NEW ZEALAND CRUI SE ASSOC I AT ION (NZCA)