| CLIA Update 20 Oct 21

WITH Joel Katz, MD, CLIA Australasia – The mood is changing:
After months of persistence,
it’s clear there’s a positive change
in the discussions we’re having
with governments around
cruising in Australia.
The new Premier of New
South Wales Dominic Perrottet
last week confirmed he is in
discussions with the Australian
Government around a resumption
of cruising, having already
expressed public support for a
restart as travel restrictions ease.
Queensland Premier Annastacia
Palaszczuk has also confirmed
cruising is on the agenda, having
suggested smaller cruises within
Queensland would be raised at
National Cabinet.
Behind the scenes, in
discussions CLIA has been having
with governments at multiple
levels, there is now a clear will to
make progress and work towards
a responsible resumption of
cruising as other countries have
done overseas.
One of our key messages – that
it would be ridiculous for Aussies
to be able to fly overseas to cruise
while they still can’t sail at home –
is clearly resonating.
We’re also gaining greater
acknowledgement that cruising
supports thousands of local jobs
– including travel advisors – and
that it will be an essential part of
Australia’s tourism revival as we
emerge from the pandemic.