| 27 Jan 22

WITH Joel Katz

MD, CLIA Australasia

Agents and suppliers must be heard

For almost two years, CLIA and our members have been highlighting the enormous economic cost of Australia’s cruise ban and the huge impact this has on travel agents and other businesses.

This has been one of our core messages to politicians, government departments, national media and cruise stakeholders, conveyed through countless government meetings, presentations, television interviews and social media initiatives like the #ReadySetSail campaign.

This week Australian politicians got to see the real faces behind this economic impact, as teams of travel agents and suppliers converged on MPs’ offices around the country. Through vigils, meetings and media interviews, our MPs have been reminded that the 18,000 Australians who rely on cruising for their livelihoods are real people and real voters.

Despite our industry’s success in dozens of other countries, Australia still poses a political challenge unlike any other major market.

The key to confronting this is our industry’s united voice, and the effort of travel agents and suppliers this week provides more support for the messages CLIA and cruise lines are driving through direct government lobbying.

Our calls are louder thanks to your efforts.