Timaru is preparing for a record cruise ship season, with fourteen vessels scheduled to arrive this summer and bring thousands of visitors into the city.

Rangitata MP James Meager said the first ship arrives at PrimePort tomorrow carrying up to one thousand nine hundred passengers and eight hundred crew.

“The first ship of the season arrives at PrimePort tomorrow, carrying up to 1900 passengers and 800 crew. This is a fantastic way to start what will be a record season for Timaru.

“We know these cruise ship visits bring significant benefits to our local economy, with economic analysis of the 2023-24 ship season estimating visiting passengers and crew members spent $2 million while docked here.

“It’s no surprise cruise ship visitors love exploring the Riviera of the South. Timaru, and the wider Rangitata electorate, has so much to offer tourists. I’m proud of this new record for our city, which is a clear vote of confidence in South Canterbury from the cruise sector.

“Tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest export earner and is vital to growing our economy. That’s why National is focused on showcasing New Zealand on the world stage, boosting our tourism industry, and attracting more visitors.

“Under National, tourism spending is up 34%, and we are nearly back to pre-COVID levels, exceeding all expectations. A thriving tourism sector creates opportunities for Kiwi businesses, and it’s great to see Timaru benefiting from this growth.”