| Goldstein renews infrastructure call

ADAM Goldstein, the Global Chair of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), has urged authorities in NZ and NSW to recognise the value of cruise, particularly in the “flagship cities” of Sydney and Auckland.

Speaking to CW during CLIA’s Cruise360 conference on Fri, Goldstein (pictured) said his visit down under this week was the continuation of a decade-long campaign relating to Australasian cruise infrastructure.

“In the early phases we painted a picture of what was forthcoming, which was ‘no room at the inn’,” Goldstein said.

“When we have these conversations now I am more hopeful…because we don’t have to be speculative about that any more – there literally is no room at the inn in Sydney,” he added.

“The question is, can this immensely capable country, with a huge seafaring tradition and, on the metric of market penetration ‘the unofficial world champions of cruising,’ build a second berth on the ocean side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“To me – I know I’m an American – but to me, it just seems possible, it ought to happen.”

Goldstein said it was clear that Australasian market demand exists for more cruise capacity, with Sydney’s constraints also seeing Auckland, Melbourne and Brisbane become “more significant homeports than they otherwise might have been”.

The CLIA Chair, who is also Vice Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, said RCCL would be happy to partner in the development of a new cruise terminal in Sydney.

“We are flexible in our thinking and approach, and eager to discuss solutions,” he said.

In New Zealand, Goldstein said he had been very encouraged by the development of infrastructure in various NZ ports of call to handle newer, larger ships.

“But the big question is Auckland, and what adjustments it is prepared to make,” he said.

Goldstein pledged to continue to advocate for the industry.

“We are eternally hopeful, if also eternally frustrated,” he said.