| Get cruise on the roadmap!

AUSTRALIA’S plan for future travel requirements, announced by PM Scott Morrison last week (TD breaking news Fri) needs to include cruising, CLIA has said.

The four-stage pact is a positive step forward for the tourism sector, but a framework must include provisions for domestic cruising to save thousands of local jobs and businesses, said CLIA MD Joel Katz.

Responding to the National Cabinet’s agreement on a phased easing of restrictions, Katz said governments needed to include carefully managed domestic cruise operations in the early stages of their plans.

“Lines globally have committed to stringent new health protocols in response to COVID-19 and these measures are already working successfully in other countries,” he said.

“Australia is now the only major cruise market in the world where no progress has been made towards a responsible cruise resumption…we need urgent action from governments to save jobs and revive economic opportunities for communities around the country,” he said.