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CLIA Australasia’s plea to save 2022 Kimberley cruise season

Urgent action is needed to save the 2022 Kimberley cruise season for expedition ships carrying up to 200 passengers, Cruise Lines International Association Australasia MD Joel Katz said.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

December 15, 2021

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Katz said ships with under 100 passengers are already sailing successfully in Australia with tried and tested COVID-19 health measures in place.

200-passenger ships

He said allowing other expedition ships with up to 200 passengers to return to Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with similar robust health protocols including testing and vaccination requirements for all passengers and crew, would provide much needed tourism income for communities in the country’s northwest.

May start

As most Kimberley cruises are in the dry season, which runs from May until October, Katz said it is essential that all governments and health authorities work closely with industry now to establish detailed operational plans.

Lost season warning

‘We need agreement on the way forward before the upcoming Kimberley season is lost and travellers look to destinations overseas,’ he said.

All people who are fully vaccinated will be able to enter the Northern Territory from December 20.

From February 5, the government of Western Australia will proceed with its Safe Transition Plan to ease border restrictions for interstate and international travellers.

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Australia

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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