NSW’s peak accommodation body has welcomed news the Minns Government will move to finally scrap outdated COVID-19 restrictions in the lead up to the state’s bumper cruising season.
More than one million domestic and international passengers are expected to sail on a cruise ship in Australia this summer, but lingering pandemic restrictions in NSW had the potential to severely impact bookings.
“The removal of restrictions on cruising in NSW could not come at a better time as we move ever closer to the start of the summer cruising season,” Accommodation Australia NSW Manager Stacey McBride said.
“While the restrictions were first implemented to help re-launch cruising, it is now time common sense prevails and NSW joins the rest of the world onboard cruise ships without the need for mandatory masks and COVID vaccination checks.”
Prior to the Premier’s comments this week, a discrepancy had existed between information provided on the Australian government website which stated there were no cruising restrictions, while regulations in NSW meant guests had to wear a mask and have COVID vaccination checks when boarding.
“The situation was extremely confusing for guests and had the potential to place a handbrake on what is looking like one of the best year’s forecast for cruising since COVID decimated the industry,” Ms McBride said.
“At the moment we are expecting an increase in cruise bookings of around 26% compared to the 2017/18 season before COVID enforced a two-year ban on the industry.
“This is great news for the Australian cruising industry and passengers alike.”
