Our focus remains on the future

Joel Katz is the Managing Director Australasia of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

THE release of the

Ruby Princess Special Commission report last week has reinforced once again that, as an industry, our best response to the COVID-19 pandemic is as a united cruise community with a common focus – working together and with regulators, to always put safety first.

This is our industry’s greatest strength, however difficult it has been amid huge public scrutiny, and it’s helping to drive the many teams of people around the world who are working hard to achieve a new foundation for cruising and create a pathway towards recovery.

At CLIA we know our work has never been more critical, both to the future of cruising and the livelihoods of those who rely on cruise tourism.

While there’s still much to overcome, we have already achieved a great deal in terms of creating a strong footing for the future.

This month, CLIA has had important engagement with government agencies on both sides of the Tasman, putting forward the framework we have created for discussions on future operations.

This includes explanations on the work currently underway internationally among cruise lines and within CLIA to establish extensive new health protocols.

We are confident that these measures, developed with the assistance of eminent medical and scientific experts from across the globe, will ensure cruising is safe for passengers and crew, and are pleased to see the gradual resumption of voyages in Europe this week as officials there approve the new arrangements.

When the time is right, we envisage a carefully controlled and phased resumption of operations that works within border restrictions and protects

Australia and New Zealand from outside infection.

Limited local itineraries for Australians only, within Australia, and for New Zealanders only, within New Zealand, provide an opportunity for a measured resumption of cruising and a revival of economic opportunities for communities in both countries.

This advocacy work on behalf of the whole cruise community is our most important task right now, and while much still depends on the future status of COVID-19 in our states and territories, and the advances being made on the medical front, we are confident we have the expertise and resilience to succeed.

As we drive our plans forward, we will continue to advocate not only for our future safe resumption, but also for the needs of our travel agent community and other industry stakeholders who will play such an important part in our national recovery.