‘There is no question that we still have much to do, but we now have a proven track record that shows what we are able to do as a determined, responsible and innovative industry when we work together,’ Katz, who was giving a rundown on the ‘State of the Industry,’ said.
Travel-starved passengers
‘As we approach the spring and summer, cruise ports big and small are gearing up to welcome 46 ships and thousands of travel-starved passengers for the 2022-23 cruise season,’ he said.
‘It’s been a long time between visits and almost all the major cruise lines are returning to local waters, several of them deploying ships in the region for the first time.
‘This season cruisers will be able to choose to cruise in our own backyard on everything from family-friendly larger contemporary ships to ultra-luxury ships, to boutique ships and expedition [vessels].
‘Visiting international ships are set to mark their first seasonal deployments and world-cruise stopovers in more than two years, joining the homeported vessels already forging Australia’s cruising recovery.’
New visitors
Katz said each visit will bring new visitors and new opportunities for local communities, helping to rebuild an industry previously worth more than A$5b a year to the Australian economy, that supported more than 18,000 jobs.
He said even as borders were closing through the first months of the pandemic, cruise lines were already working with medical experts.
The result is the most extensive set of health protocols to be found in almost any industry.
Greater confidence
‘With this comes greater confidence — confidence from governments, from health authorities, our industry partners, ports and destinations and, of course, our passengers,’ Katz said.
‘We are sailing back better than ever.’
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