Today, cruising is a $500 million (Cdn) industry in British
Columbia, with most ships bound for Alaska via the scenic
Inside Passage. Organizations such as Cruise Industry
Association of British Columbia (www.cruisebc.ca) are
working to transform British Columbia into a world-class
cruise destination in its own right. The North West
CruiseShip Association (www.nwcruiseship.org) represents the
major cruise lines operating in the Pacific Northwest,
Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. This non-profit organization
facilitates security services for member lines, collaborates
with government regarding legal and regulatory issues,
develops partnerships with cruise ship communities and
supports economic and environmental studies related to the
industries.
Excursions to Mexico and the Caribbean still lead the total
market share of all cruise traffic at 50 percent. Alaskan
travel enjoys 8 percent, but the Inside Passage market
continues to expand in both cruise opportunities and shore
side diversions. In addition to summer trips, many ships now
make shorter cruises to smaller ports in British Columbia
during the fringe or hip seasons (spring and fall),
exploring destinations such as Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
According to the Cruise Industry Association of British
Columbia website, every year over 520 ships bring 1.2
million passengers to the BC coast. That volume translates
to an economic impact that is estimated at $1.29 billion.
Victoria and Prince Rupert are already established ports of
call on many Alaskan runs. In 2005, Victoria set records
with 142 ship visits and 295,000 passengers. In 2006, Prince
Rupert’s new Northland Terminal is projected to handle
nearly 100,000 passengers on six different cruise lines. The
Nanaimo Port Authority hosted 33 ship calls and 14,600
passengers. Campbell River and Port Alberni are both
developing a market for increased cruise business.
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