The Assessment of the Economic Impact of Cruising to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, commissioned by the Australian Government, World Bank Group member International Finance Corporation and Carnival Australia, found cruise tourism was worth up to A$5.9 million to PNG in 2015 and this will multiply if a range of opportunities and investments are explored to capitalise on demand.

The study looked at the Solomons’ capital Honiara and five tourist spots in PNG - Alotau, Doini Island Kiriwina, Kitava and Rabaul. It follows a similar, 2014 examination of the potential of another South Pacific destination, Vanuatu, which is now a very successful cruise stopover.

Through its cruise brands P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, Carnival Australia will have six ships visit the Solomon Islands this year, a three-fold increase from last year, while 26 calls will be made in PNG, bringing in 44,000 passengers. This is eight times the number of visitors in 2013 when P&O Cruises Australia first added PNG to its itineraries.