| Kimberley action needed 16 Dec 21

URGENT action is needed to save Western Australia’s Kimberley expedition season, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has said.

The region risks losing its status as Australia’s premier expedition cruise destination without detailed plans to support the return of broader sailings next year, CLIA MD Joel Katz said.

Following yesterday’s announcement of a major tourism campaign by the Government of Western Australia, Katz said it is vital plans to revive tourism include a detailed pathway to support small-scale expedition cruising for ships of up to 200 pax, which ordinarily generate millions of dollars a year for the Kimberley and communities along WA’s northern coast.

“The suspension of cruising has been devastating for thousands of Australians who depend on cruising, including many in communities where expedition ships are a vital source of tourism,” he said.

“Expedition ships provide an excellent opportunity to begin a carefully controlled resumption of cruising with extensive health measures in place, but we need the federal, state and territory governments to urgently agree on health protocols before the upcoming winter season is lost.”

Katz said ships with under 100 people on board were already sailing successfully in Australia, including in the Kimberley, with tried and tested COVID-19 health measures in place.

Allowing other expedition operators with up to 200 pax to return to WA and the NT would provide much-needed tourism income for communities in the North West Australia.

“Cruising has changed enormously in response to the pandemic and the work our industry has done with medical experts internationally has resulted in health protocols that are successful in mitigating the risks of COVID-19,” Katz said.

“With vaccination rates increasing and borders opening, we need agreement on the way forward for expedition cruise ships before the upcoming Kimberley season is lost and travellers look to destinations overseas.”

After last week’s extension of Australia’s cruise ban (CW 13 Dec), Katz added it would take several months of preparations before cruise ships could return to local waters.

“Cruising involves long lead-times, so it is essential that all governments and health authorities work closely with industry”.