| 02 Feb 22

DAY of Action

When the National Day of Action took place recently, it reinforced how challenging the situation continues to be for those working in the travel and cruise industry.

As industry members visited the offices of their local Members of Parliament, it humanised the issues ACA has been raising alongside CLIA for many months now.

The initiative illustrated just how many small businesses are impacted by the international border closures including many independently owned travel agencies and tour operators whose livelihood rests on a cruise re-start.

Many industry organisations have been running grass roots campaigns to get the messages out but in this case it does seem to “take a village” to get the message heard.

Proposals for a phased program of domestic cruises, with fully vaccinated crew and stringent safety measures in place for passengers, with commitments far exceeding other sector regulations, continue to be placed on hold by the Government as have compensation packages for the sector.

With February 17 looming, we are desperate to hear what the Federal Government needs to approve the lifting of the ban which has crippled our industry for nearly two years.

Well done to Belle Goldie from itravel Penrith who initiated the Day of Action and worked closely with state-based coordinators to get these important voices heard.