Operators seek to build on cruising interests
Water sports are something of a national obsession in Australia, and with almost 23,000 miles of coastline it is hardly surprising.
The waters beckon tourists too and few UK bookings are now complete without a confirmed day cruise – either to the Barrier Reef, around Sydney Harbour or along the Swan River in Western Australia.
Building on this, operators also report a slow but steady increase in demand for longer sailing and cruise holidays in Australia. The product is already well developed, particularly in Queensland. The Whitsunday region claims to have the largest bareboat charter fleet in the world and operators use two key sailing bases – at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.
Wholesalers such as Jetset, Jetabout and Travel 2 work with and feature a variety of Whitsunday sailing companies, but specialists Sunsail and The Moorings have a more direct involvement.
Sunsail has 41 boats based at Hamilton Island and The Moorings has 25. Both allow clients to either crew boats themselves or book a support crew to assist. Sunsail has just announced plans for a new Sailing Academy to offer training at Hamilton Island.
Both sell sailing holidays worldwide and report rapid UK growth but Australia is not yet a major seller. Sunsail books around 200 holidays in Australia a year and for The Moorings it represents about 5% of its worldwide business with the Caribbean remaining its star performer.
However, Andrew Howard, sales and marketing director for Sunsail, said: “The sailing infrastructure is well developed in Australia and the operators do need international business. As more UK clients look for active holidays and more make repeat visits, there is strong growth potential.”
Sunsail also offers sailing holidays in New South Wales, out of Sydney, and at Pittwater north of the city. But it believes Queensland will continue to dominate the market because the waters are safe for novices.
While Perth and Fremantle have a strong local yachting fraternity, sailing the Western Australian coast is not for amateurs. Tourist options focus on Swan River cruising or day trips out to Rottnest Island.
For the less energetic, short-duration cruises are proving a popular water-based add-on.
Again, Queensland dominates with vessels such as the Coral Princess and Captain Cook Cruises’ Reef Endeavour operating between Cairns and Townsville. Both are featured by all major UK wholesalers.
Jetset has added the ReefSleep this year – which offers a one-night stay at moored accommodation at the Barrier Reef from ú120.
Both Travel 2 and Jetset offer three to six-night cruises from MacKay to Hamilton Island aboard the Windjammer or the Coral Trekker. Travel 2 also features cruises on the Apollo II yacht.
Norwegian Star, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, has been featured by some wholesalers but will now be included in NCL’s new Worldwide Cruising programme out in June.
The ship operates seven to 13-night cruises between Sydney, Cairns and Darwin and its inclusion reflects UK demand for new cruise itineraries.