Spread the love

Cruise ShipThe Australian Cruise Association says that the agreement at National Cabinet that the Federal Government, and NSW, Victoria and Queensland state governments will work with the cruise industry around the protocols for a cruise re-start is welcome news for our sector.
“This is the most encouraging sign we have had from Government that they are now willing to actively engage in dialogue around bringing cruise ships back into the country since the Biosecurity ban was put in place nearly two years ago,” said Jill Abel, CEO of the Australian Cruise Association.
“We are confident that the states will be able to draw on the extensive data developed by cruise destinations around the world who have already been through this strategic modelling as they welcomed cruise ships back into their ports.  This should help to expedite the process.
“While the announcement today to extend the Biosecurity ban to 17 April is disappointing, it provides the time we need to work with our members in port destinations around Australia to help them prepare for a phased re-start” Abel continued.
The Australian Cruise Association, in conjunction with CLIA Australasia and Tourism Australia, has already held workshops with their members in Queensland and will continue those in Victoria in March.  The half-day sessions are designed to help the tourism industry prepare for the carefully managed, responsible, and the long-awaited arrival of cruise ships, crew and passengers back into the country’s ports and communities.
Over at Cruise Lines International Association, they say the Australian cruise industry has welcomed government commitments to engage with the industry for careful resumption of operations and has called for concrete plans to be finalized as soon as possible.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said it was hoped today’s extension of the cruise ban to April 17 would be the last before international cruise ships can return to Australia.
He also welcomed the National Cabinet announcement that eastern states and the federal government will jointly develop plans for cruising’s revival, saying close cooperation with cruise lines would be essential to achieving a careful and successful resumption.
“Though the cruise ban has been extended, we can now see hope for thousands of Australians whose livelihoods depend on cruise tourism,” Mr Katz said, adding, “Australia is still the only major cruise market in the world without confirmed plans for cruising’s resumption, so it’s important that governments work in partnership with the cruise industry to achieve a swift solution.”
Mr Katz said more than seven million people had sailed successfully in dozens of other countries where cruising had already resumed, with stringent new health protocols in place.
“Cruising has changed enormously in response to the pandemic and the work done with medical experts around the world has resulted in health protocols that have been successful in mitigating the risks of Covid-19,” Mr Katz said. “Most cruise lines have cancelled sailings through to the end of May and it will take several months to prepare ships for their return, so we need governments to sign off on industry protocols as soon as possible so we can begin a careful and responsible revival of cruise tourism in Australia.”
Being a cynic, I believe we have to wait and see what the states and territories agree to with their track record to date in relation to Covid 19 being one of providing a plethora of confusing messages and disparate, separatist rules and regulations.
In essence, these announcements by the two organisations tell us nothing except their continuing hoping and waiting, rather like the naughty student outside the principal’s office, which has been the case for the last two years, with it appears no action and no real protocols ready in place.
This does beg the question what have they all been doing in all these talks they claim they have been having?
For certain it appears not making sure they are ready to run when the starting gun is fired!
Edited by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor