Cruise Accelerator Programs

for Destinations & Operators

As cruise visitation across Australia and New Zealand continues to surge, regional destinations have a valuable opportunity to capture market share, by delivering immersive, cruise trade-ready shore excursion experiences.

Tonic Tourism Solutions delivers targeted, practical programs designed to help tourism bodies and operators successfully engage with the cruise trade. With deep expertise across the cruise distribution landscape - from ground handlers and inbound tour operators (ITOs) to cruise line product teams - we help destinations build reputation, trade engagement, and product readiness.

We support you in positioning your region as a must-visit stopover for international cruise passengers, showcasing experiences that are logistically smooth, commercially viable, and rich in local storytelling.

Our Services

  • For Destination – Australia & New Zealand

    Building Cruise Readiness Across Your Region

    We partner with Regional Tourism Organisations, Economic Development Teams and LGAs to build destination-level cruise capability through structured programs that prepare your local operators for success in the cruise trade.

    Our Cruise Trade Ready pathway addresses regional product challenges, unlocks opportunities, and ensures local businesses understand how to deliver experiences that align with cruise guest behaviour, timing, and shore excursion expectations.

    We deliver an 8-week mentoring format that includes product refinement, market insight, and packaging strategies - plus the development of sales assets tailored to cruise buyers and shorex teams.

    Most importantly, we help activate these experiences in the market by facilitating connections with ground operators, ITOs and cruise line buyers - helping your region strengthen its cruise profile and deliver sustainable, trade-fit product.


  • For Tourism Operators

    Helping You Connect with the Cruise Trade

    If you're a tourism business looking to grow in the cruise market, we help you understand what buyers need - and what guests expect. Through our Cruise Trade Ready mentoring, we work with you to identify product opportunities and barriers, then refine your offer around cruise timing, group logistics, and passenger preferences.

    You’ll gain insight into cruise guest behaviours, shore excursion trends, and itinerary structures, while learning how to make your experience desirable and deliverable within cruise parameters.

    We connect you directly with key cruise trade buyers - from ground operators to decision-makers - and help facilitate inclusion of your product in shore excursion programs.

    Our support is practical, strategic, and designed to help you create compelling, bookable cruise-ready experiences with real commercial potential.

Enquire Now

Why Cruise Trade Matters Now

Cruise lines are actively sourcing authentic, well-timed, sustainable experiences that appeal to a diverse international market. With new itineraries, more port calls, and stronger demand for regional product, now is the time to make your destination cruise ready — and ensure your operators are trade-fit for long-term success.

Let’s Get Your Region Cruise Ready

We help destinations across Australia and New Zealand thrive in the cruise market — by supporting local operators to deliver exceptional, bookable experiences buyers can trust.

Cruise Testimonials

The BEDA Cruise Accelerator program was the perfect length and struck the right balance for someone juggling the demands of running a small business. Tyler and Sharon’s deep knowledge of the cruise industry directly guided the development of my product, and their mix of hands-on support and hands-off space was exactly what I needed. It’s only the beginning of my journey into this market, but I now feel informed, confident, and equipped with the tools to pursue what I hope will be a rewarding new opportunity for my business.

Kylie Taylor, Straddie Brewing Co

Your dedication, industry-specific knowledge, and genuine passion were exactly what Brisbane needed to elevate our approach to cruise. You both brought clarity, momentum, and a fresh perspective to a space that’s long been in need of strategic focus.

What stood out most was how deeply you listened and tailored your approach to the real needs of our region. You helped connect the dots across stakeholders and inspired confidence in what cruise could become for Brisbane, not just another stop, but a destination in its own right.

If other regions are considering the program, my only advice is this: dive in headfirst. You won’t find a more committed or capable duo to help navigate those waters.

Pete Myers, Pineapple Tour

Thank you to you and Sharon for such a well-delivered and thoughtful program. I really appreciated the way the sessions were structured—everything was clear, engaging, and most importantly, relevant.

What stood out to me was just how practical the whole course was. The three key tasks we completed were all genuinely useful and not just exercises for the sake of ticking a box. It’s rare to finish a program with resources you’ll actually use in your business, but this one delivered exactly that.

Meeting the ground handlers face-to-face was another standout. Having the chance to speak with them directly gave us a much clearer understanding of what they’re looking for. That part of the program really brought everything together.

Katrina White, White Ridge Farm


Participating in the BEDA Showcase was not only energising but affirming. The space created for honest exchange, big ideas, and future-thinking around creative industries was incredibly valuable. It was refreshing to be part of something that centred regional voices while inviting strong, practical frameworks for future development.

Suzanne Goodchild, Birrunga Gallery

Thank you for the effort you and Sharon put into organising the yesterday event and for working so closely with the local suppliers in preparation for potential shore excursion opportunities.

The structure of the event, including the one-on-one meetings, was effective, allowing for quick conversations with operators and insight into their offerings, so it was helpful.

It’s clear there are some strong concepts and promising products that could be developed further for inclusion in our shorex programs. We’re excited about the potential ahead and look forward to continuing the dialogue with both you and the suppliers to bring some of these ideas to life.

Agnieszka Lotocka, Intercruises

Thanks so much for the invitation! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying the event. The setup was great — everything was well laid out and easy to navigate. I especially liked that there were only a small number of suppliers; it made the experience feel a lot more personal and allowed for more meaningful conversations. It didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming, which can often happen at bigger events but a few more minutes with each supplier would have been perfect.

The networking side of things was a real success for me. I came across several products that we don’t currently have, and I’m hopeful we can look at including some of them in our program. It was a great chance to explore fresh ideas and connect with the right people.

Overall, a really well-organized and enjoyable day. Glad I went.

Anita Lao, Bob Wood Cruise Group

Thank you for organizing the afternoon/evening, it is something that is required for cruise ship tourism in SE QLD

A start has now been made let’s hope the momentum is now there, fingers crossed it does not fade. Workshops like this can only help SE QLD, if the other states can do it why can’t us?

Jeff Barnard, Akorn Australia