Australian and New Zealand businesses devastated by the suspension of cruise operations will voice their support for a carefully planned revival in a new video series launched this month by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Part of CLIA’s #WeAreCruise initiative, the videos will highlight the economic impact suffered by local businesses and the 25,000 jobs that are at risk across Australasia while the cruise industry remains at anchor.
An initial four videos will be released on social media during October and November as part of a wider campaign that aims to raise awareness of the impact on the region’s $5 billion-a-year cruise industry and tell the personal stories of people within the Australasian cruise community. CLIA is urging travel agents and other industry supporters to join the campaign and help share the message.
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said cruise lines had committed to extensive new health measures to support future operations, and that it was vital to plan for a phased and carefully controlled resumption of local cruising.
“Thousands of travel agents and other businesses across Australia and New Zealand have been devasted by the suspension of cruise operations and tens of thousands of jobs are at risk,” Mr Katz said. “While the suspension has been the right response to COVID-19, it’s absolutely vital that we open a pathway towards resumption with extensive health measures in place, so we can bring an economic revival to communities around our region.”
The #WeAreCruise video series will tell the stories of an initial four businesses:
- Clean Cruising – a family-owned Brisbane travel agency that specialises in cruising and has lost most of its income, despite a heavy workload processing refunds and making alternative arrangements for customers.
- Wijingarra Tours – an Indigenous tour company catering to cruise visitors in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, which has been forced to cancel this year’s tour season.
- Hasslefree Tours – a Christchurch tour company that offers an extensive range of shore excursions for cruise visitors to New Zealand, whose operations have been suspended under current travel restrictions.
- Kollaras & Co – an Illawarra beverage wholesaler and third-generation family business whose major clients include the cruise lines that source their wines and beers locally.
Mr Katz said travel agents and other industry supporters could join the campaign, help share its videos and amplify the industry’s voice to governments. A website landing page has been created with more information, links to the videos, social media assets and guides on how to contact local MPs.
“CLIA is working closely with government agencies at many levels, but we need help to reinforce the true size of the cruise community and the thousands of people whose livelihoods are at risk,” Mr Katz said.
See www.WeAreCruise.org for more information and resources.
