JOEL Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia
Upping the pressure for resumption
In recent weeks CLIA and our cruise line members have been tackling further important discussions with governments on both sides of the Tasman, pressing for an urgent revival for our industry.
In each case, we continue to outline our vision for a responsible resumption of cruising in this region and highlight the devasting impact the cruise suspension has had on local jobs.
We have been presenting the extensive new health measures that cruise lines have developed in response to the pandemic and have underscored the success that cruise lines have had where such measures are already up and running — like Singapore, where more than 100,000 people have sailed safely since November without a single confirmed case of Covid-19.
We’ve also been busy in the media, appearing on television, radio and in print to highlight the urgent need for a path forward and build confidence around the health measures that will underpin future operations.
It’s a complex and demanding process, and one that is taking our entire focus right now. But we also need the backing of our stakeholders and the wider cruise community.
To help travel agents and other stakeholders reinforce our message, CLIA has refreshed and expanded its #WeAreCruise web pages, which include a new fact sheet on our Model for Responsible Sailing. This guide explains the health measures cruise lines have adopted globally and our vision for their implementation in Australia and New Zealand.
We’re also preparing to ramp up lobbying as part of CLIA’s Ready Set Sail initiative, and we’ll be calling on our travel agent members and other supporters to get involved in a targeted campaign to pressure leaders at the state and federal levels. New online facilities will help you take part, simply and effectively, so keep an eye on WeAreCruise.org to find out more.
