Cruise Development Programs
for Destinations & Operators
As cruise visitation across Australia and New Zealand continues to grow, regional operators have a valuable opportunity to capture this expanding market by creating immersive, trade ready shore experiences that meet the expectations of international cruise lines.
At Tonic Tourism Solutions, we provide practical, targeted support to help operators and destinations engage successfully with the cruise trade. With deep experience across the cruise distribution network, from ground handlers to cruise line product teams, we help you strengthen trade relationships, build reputation, and ensure your experiences are market ready.
We work with you to position your region as a must visit stop for international cruise passengers, developing experiences that run smoothly, deliver strong commercial outcomes, and showcase the authentic stories that make your destination unforgettable.
Our Services
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Cruise Accelerator Program - For Ports, Tourism Bodies & Councils
You’ve invested in world-class infrastructure and destination marketing. But are you truly cruise ready?
Turn cruise potential into a stronger destination offer with trade ready product, aligned stakeholders, and a clearer pathway to shore excursion buyers.
Our Cruise Accelerator Program is a structured destination development program designed for ports, regional tourism organisations, councils and destination bodies that want to build a stronger cruise ready pipeline. We work with your region to identify shore excursion suitable experiences, strengthen operator capability, refine product concepts, and create a more coordinated approach to cruise market engagement.
The program is built around the practical steps that move a destination forward: understanding the cruise trade maze, customer profiles, product design, product variations, trade engagement, product and marketing templates, rehearsal and refinement - all leading toward experience showcase and trade activation.
Who it’s for
Ports, local councils, tourism organisations and destination leaders who:
Want to position their region as a stronger cruise call
Need more trade-ready local product
Want to align operators, stakeholders and destination partners around a clearer cruise opportunity
Are ready to move beyond aspiration and build product that can be presented to relevant shore excursion buyers
Outcome
A stronger pipeline of cruise suitable, trade ready experiences
Clearer operator capability and product positioning
Better destination-wide alignment around cruise opportunity
A more credible pathway to showcase local product to the key stakeholders who influence and buy shore excursions
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Cruise Ready Bootcamp
Build a trade-ready tour in 4 weeks - and create a clearer pathway to the cruise shore excursion buyers who matter. Our Cruise Ready Bootcamp is a practical, live online program for tourism operators who want to turn a good local experience into a more cruise-suitable, trade-ready product. Over four structured weeks, participants learn how the cruise market works, what buyers expect, how to refine their product for operational fit, and how to present it in a way that gives it the best chance of being taken seriously by the trade.
This Bootcamp is designed to move operators from interested to ready. That means stronger positioning, more commercially sound product thinking, clearer trade materials, and a more practical pathway to getting your experience seen by the people who assess, package and influence shore excursion product.
Across the program, participants work through cruise market insights, cruise-ready product design, trade engagement and practical next steps. The focus is not theory for theory’s sake. It is about helping operators shape a product that is easier to understand, easier to assess, and more “buyable” in a cruise context.
This program is ideal for:
Tourism operators offering tours, attractions, experiences and venues
Businesses unsure where to start with cruise trade expectations
Operators wanting to strengthen product readiness, pricing, operations and trade approach
Regional groups or clusters seeking capability uplift across members
Outcome
A trade ready shore excursion product
Stronger product positioning and clearer trade messaging
Practical improvements across timing, capacity, pricing and operational fit
Greater confidence in how to present their offer
A clearer pathway to put their product in front of the key cruise stakeholders and shore excursion buyers who matter most
Why the Cruise Market ?
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 Product Cruise Ready
We help operators across Australia and New Zealand thrive in the cruise market by helping local operators understand just how 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