PONANT Chairman Asia Pacific Sarina Bratton has told Cruise Weekly the cruise principles announced by NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie (CW yesterday) “effectively kills the Kimberley operations using Darwin as the homeport of the NT”.
The Territory’s Govt effectively put paid to cruise operations in the region when on Fri it imposed a new order banning vessels with more than 100 people on board, including crew members, with Bratton and Silversea Cruises Senior Vice President & Managing Director Asia Pacific Adam Radwanski quick to point out the domino effect the edict will have on the travel trade, as well as local suppliers.
“Just across APT and Ponant’s bookings alone, some $6 million of agents commissions are being jeopardised,” Bratton warned.
Both cruise lines have committed to dialogue with both the Australian and NT governments in hopes their seasons will not be a total loss.