MORE than 150 cruise industry leaders are expected to attend a major cruise conference in Fremantle next year.
The annual conference of the Australian Cruise Association (ACA), to be held from 3 to 5 September, 2025, will host some of Australia’s top industry representatives to discuss the sector.
Conference delegates will hear about WA’s various onshore experiences and port capabilities, along with touring activities showcasing Fremantle, Rottnest Island and other Perth destinations.
The announcement comes off the back of the WA Cruise Exchange in July this year, which was attended by more than two dozen industry leaders from 14 leading cruise lines, shining a spotlight on WA’s cruise tourism sector.
In a media release announcing the conference Tourism Minister, Rita Saffioti said cruise ships continue to form an important part of Western Australia’s tourism industry and economic diversification agenda, with a record $333.5 million generated in economic impact for the State in 2022-23, which created more than 1,000 local jobs.
Fremantle, as the busiest port in the State, welcomed over 72,000 passengers and 9,000 crew members across 33 visits in that financial year.
“The Fremantle Passenger Terminal will continue to successfully service the burgeoning cruise industry with increased passenger arrivals and larger ship visits following the $35.5 million investment in wharf works at Fremantle Port, and major fender upgrades at the passenger terminal announced as part of the 2024-25 state budget,” Ms Saffioti said.
The budget also allocated $1 million to boost Western Australia’s cruise tourism program and help to deliver the WA Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan for 2023-2033.
Ports Minister David Michael said Fremantle had had a bumper couple of years welcoming a combined 129,000 passengers from 64 cruise ships.
“Our recent investment in wharf works and fender upgrades at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, worth $35.5 million, will ensure we can keep servicing this growing industry,” Mr Michael said.
