Sydney Cruise Industry Booming

The number of cruise ship visits to Sydney Harbour this year will increase dramatically.

Sydney Ports Corporation Chief Executive Officer Grant Gilfillan said there would be 214 vessel visits to Sydney this financial year compared to 150 last year, representing a 43 per cent increase.

"The cruise industry in Sydney is in an extraordinary growth phase and it doesn't look like slowing down," Mr Gilfillan said.

"In fact 264 ship visits have already been booked for the following cruise season in 2012/13."

Officially launching the 2011/12 cruise season today, Mr Gilfillan said that the Australian cruise industry was now the fastest growing segment of the tourism market, with Australian passenger numbers increasing by 27 per cent in 2010.

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