News that cruise ships will be able to return to Australia in April provided a welcome boost for thousands of Australians whose livelihoods depend on the industry while bringing clarity for the thousands who love sea holidays.
CLIA Australasia/Cruise Lines International Association welcomed confirmation that the cruise shipping ban will be lifted from April 17th, and said the industry would continue working with state/territory governments to finalize the extensive health protocols needed before cruises can resume.
Joel Katz (CLIA Australasia's Managing Director) said the announcement was a huge breakthrough for 18,000+ Australians who depended on cruise tourism, "including travel agents, tour operators, food and produce providers, entertainers, port workers and many other industry suppliers.”
“The suspension of cruising over the past two years has cost the Australian economy more than $10 billion and we now have an opportunity to work on a revival.”
According to Katz, 8+ million people had already sailed in 80+ other countries where cruising had restarted, with stringent new health measures in place.
“Cruising involves long lead-times, so it is essential that state governments and health authorities continue to work closely with the industry in the coming weeks to finalise detailed operational plans for resumption.”