Hobart Named Host of Australian Cruise Conference in 2027

A record 170 delegates attended the Australian Cruise Association’s annual conference in Brisbane this week, where Hobart was announced as the host city for the 2027 gathering. The Tasmanian capital has hosted the association’s conference only once before, in 2012.

Hobart returns as conference host

ACA CEO Jill Abel said Hobart had developed considerably since delegates last met there. The city now has direct flights to every Australian capital except Darwin, alongside new luxury hotel brands.

Abel also raised Hobart’s Antarctic role. “Hobart also presents unique opportunities linked to the growing expedition and polar cruise sector,” she said.

The city’s cruise operations are concentrated at Macquarie Wharf on the River Derwent waterfront, with the main passenger terminal at Macquarie Wharf No. 2.

Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Kingston Clark said cruise activity was an essential component of the island state’s visitor economy. Government agencies, ports, tourism businesses and local communities were working together to increase the sector’s value while improving visitor experiences, she said.

“Hosting ACA 2027 in Tasmania gives us a valuable opportunity to showcase our state, share our vision for sustainable cruise growth and strengthen connections across the industry,” Kingston Clark said.

The ACA conference was first held in 2001 by the association’s predecessor, Cruise Down Under. Specific dates and a venue for the 2027 event were not included in the announcement.

Deployment decline raises economic concerns

CLIA global president and CEO Bud Darr warned delegates that regulatory uncertainty, high operating costs and complex processes were weakening the country’s ability to attract cruise capacity. Domestic demand remains strong, he said.

“Cruise tourism generated more than A$7b for the Australian economy last financial year, but this was down A$1b from the previous year due to fewer ships visiting the region,” Darr said.

He said reduced deployment would affect businesses beyond ports and cruise operators, including farmers, food producers, transport companies, hotels, travel advisors and regional tourism businesses. Darr cited the recently launched Australian Paddock to Port Alliance, which brings together cruise industry suppliers seeking to demonstrate the sector’s contribution to local businesses.

The Brisbane conference, held under the theme “Building Value Beyond the Berth,” was sponsored by Tourism and Events Queensland, the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and the Port of Brisbane.

Darr called for government measures that would encourage cruise lines to increase deployment. “We need to have stable, practical and competitive policy settings so Australia can protect its place as one of the world’s most important cruise regions,” he said.