Dunedin (Port Chalmers, New Zealand) is set for another rise in cruise ship numbers, with 2018-2019 season showing anything seen before.
Up to twice the population of Dunedin, as many as 250,000 travelers, are expected to cruise past Taiaroa Head.
Despite the rise of 85,000 people on the past season, tourism operators and Port Otago said they would be able to cope with the numbers.
According to David Faulkner, Port Otago chairman of directors, the port was expecting 113 cruise vessels during 2018-2019 season. The figure has already risen to 120 with recent bookings.
A report on the last cruise season revealed that at least 90% of cruise passengers disembarked.
Peter Brown, Port Otago commercial general manager, said it was possible cruise numbers could change either up or down.
Development of wharf's infrastructure meant the port was ''well placed'' to cope with the numbers.