In a statement regarding the Canadian Government announcement that cruising in Canada would restart in November 2021, CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz has said, in what could well be a shock and disappointment to many in the cruise sector, that the Australian Government has made no progress towards establishing a framework for future cruise operations, despite the availability of comprehensive new health protocols at the international level.”
Katz added, “Australia has been left isolated as the only major cruise nation in the world not making progress towards revival after the Canadian Government last night announced it had brought forward the end of its cruise suspension to November 1, 2021, adding that Canada’s plans to revive cruise tourism place it alongside other destinations including the US, UK, Europe and parts of Asia where cruising has already resumed under stringent new health protocols and testing regimes.
Katz said Canada’s announcement highlighted the lack of progress in Australia and called for a similar detailed plan for cruising’s revival domestically, adding, “Like Australia, Canada has taken a very conservative and risk-averse approach to cruising, but they’ve worked hard with industry to develop a detailed pathway towards resumption and economic recovery.”
This clearly indicates and potentially confirms that contrary to what has been said for some time, that a similar scenario and discussions have not been taking place in Australia.
Katz added in the statement that the suspension of cruising had already cost Australia more than $6 billion since early 2020 and had put more than 18,000 jobs at risk, including travel agents, tour operators, farmers and food suppliers, transport workers, entertainers, and technical support providers, adding, “Around 600,000 people have already sailed successfully in countries where cruising has resumed, bringing back economic opportunities for local communities while also maintaining the most stringent health measures to be found anywhere in tourism”.
He added that with these measures in place – including 100% testing of all passengers and crew before boarding, CLIA has called for Australian governments to agree upon detailed plans for a careful domestic cruising revival. This would initially begin within an Australian bubble, involving domestic-only cruises for local residents only.
Katz added, “As Canada has recognised, it will take months of careful planning to revive cruise tourism,” and, “We need governments to progress urgent discussions now on how we can achieve similar success when the time is right in Australia and restore economic opportunities for communities around the country.”
Many of us believed from what we have been told for some time that these in depth discussions were taking place and on a regular basis, which it appears now by virtue of Katz’ comments may not have been the case – we have asked CLIA for comments and clarification, but unfortunately have not received a response.
Global Travel Media has also asked the relevant Federal Ministers for clarification and details of any discussions taking place regarding the resumption of cruising, but we have not been able to obtain any clarity whatsoever.
A Report and Opinion by John Alwyn-Jones Cruise Editor, Global Travel Media and Global Cruise News.
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