Australia and cruising both losing
THE Australian economy and communities around the country have lost almost $2 billion while cruise operations are suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report released this morning by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia and Australian Cruise Association (ACA).
CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the latest Annual Economic Impact Assessment figures made it clear thousands of small businesses, especially those in rural communities, would continue to be devastated by the industry’s suspension continues during the traditional summer peak cruise season.
“This includes travel agents, fresh food suppliers, tour operators, hotels, bus companies, baggage handlers, Aussie entertainers, and the thousands of other businesses across the country which rely on the cruise industry,” Katz warned.
ACA Chief Executive Officer Jill Abel said the 2019-20 Economic Impact Assessment, commissioned by AEC Group, also highlighted the impact of lost visitation from the more than 1,000 cruise ship visits made around Australia each year.
“More than 2.9 million passenger visit days were recorded to 42 different ports around Australia in 2019-20, bringing economic benefit to some of the furthest regions of the country,” said Abel.
“Passenger spending in destinations around Australia alone totals more than $1.1 billion, while cruise lines spend more than $1 billion in Australia over a year.
“Thousands of Australian businesses are supported by this spending in destinations around the country and many are under threat while operations are suspended”.
Other impacts highlighted by the Impact Assessment see the accommodation sector fingered as one of the largest losers from the ongoing suspension of cruise tourism, having previously received $367 million from passenger spending each year, followed by the food & beverage sector, which accounted for almost $227 million of pax spend.
The release of the figures coincided with the submission of a comprehensive plan to the Australian Government in support of a carefully controlled resumption of domestic cruise operations, with strict health protocols in place - see page 1.