Hello there and Kia Ora in Australia and New Zealand from the New Zealand Cruise Association.
As Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Cruise Association, I am delighted to be able to provide you on Global Travel Media, with the first of regular updates, about what’s going on in cruising in New Zealand, which is right now, sadly not very much, with everything currently on hold.
In any case, things are really looking up in travel, with wonderful scenes playing out in New Zealand and Australian airports last week, as families who had not seen each other for over a year are now able to re-unite, which was amazing to watch.
It’s what we in New Zealand envisaged happening when the trans-Tasman bubble between and New Zealand was in place and it didn’t disappoint at all.
Opening the air borders between our two countries is a massive positive step forward, with our Prime Minister describing the “homecoming” for many as reminiscent of scenes from “Love Actually”.
This first influx is mostly family members coming home, with a sprinkle of holiday-makers, but the next steps will be an increase in tourists to the larger cities and premium tourist destinations.
There are though sadly, still people that are sitting on the fence and continuing to react negatively, not just about travel in general, but also cruising.
That’s only natural as we have not been allowed to fly for over a year, locked up in our own back yards and fearful of the outside world. 
Bringing our two countries together will allay those fears as we return to some semblance of normality and it is that that gives me hope for the return of cruise, soon, and we look forward to those same happy cinematic moments.
Through Global Travel Media we will keep you up to speed with cruise developments in New Zealand, and I am sure my colleagues in Australia will do the same with developments in Australia. Let’s hope we can let you have great cruising news very soon!
Here’s to happy cruising before too long!
Kevin O’Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer
New Zealand Cruise Association
