Cruise ship's delayed departure great for Auckland

Media release
Newmarket Business Association

Monday, 9 March 2009
Cruise ship Aurora's delayed departure great for Auckland's retailers

Mechanical problems have delayed cruise ship Aurora's departure from downtown Auckland, with dozens of busloads of passengers this morning being dropped off in Newmarket to go shopping today and tomorrow, delighting local retailers.

"The Aurora passengers are highly visible through Newmarket today and we're told they'll also be back tomorrow. Ports of Auckland advised us this morning that we'd have visitors’ en mass which is great given the economic climate," says Cameron Brewer of the Newmarket Business Association.

"It's been a bumper season for cruise ships into Auckland this summer. It's great for retailers. What's more with the low Kiwi dollar the likes of Americans are buying almost two New Zealand dollars for their one. Along with some great end of summer sales, it's a very good time for overseas visitors to be shopping."

"We've been told there are up to 2,000 Aurora passengers heading to Newmarket over the next two days. They're understandably frustrated that their cruise has been delayed, but they're getting a very warm welcome from our retailers," says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS
 

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