Taskforce urges resumption

THE Tourism Restart Taskforce is pushing for the immediate restart of expedition cruising for smaller ships in Australia, seemingly unaware operators such as Coral Expeditions and True North have already recommenced operations around the country.

A progress report (pictured) posted on Linkedin by Taskforce Chair, the Australian Chamber’s John Hart, hailed significant progress on tourism restart with border openings and venue capacities increasing, but noted a range of unfinished business including that “local expedition cruise should recommence ASAP”.

Hart said there should be quarantine-free travel across Australia now, adding “Australians do not pose a global public health risk so they should not be stopped by their Government from leaving Australia”.

He said expedition cruising for smaller ships in Australia was an activity that can be operated in a COVID-Safe way.

Coral Expeditions Commercial Director, Jeff Gillies, commented by urging Hart to “broaden his industry contact base and sphere of understanding.

“Domestic expedition cruise has restarted from Oct with successful operations by Australian flagged vessels such as Coral Expeditions and True North.

“Don’t make your reference point international companies... we have worked bloody hard to get here and been true leaders.

“Happy for you to use us to gain a tick in that box - it’s not falling behind at all,” Gillies said.