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New Zealand Cruise Association calls for ‘Kiwi Cruising for Kiwis’New Zealand Cruise Association calls for ‘Kiwi Cruising for Kiwis’

New Zealand Cruise Association Chairman Debbie Summers and CEO Kevin O’Sullivan called on the government to allow the return of small luxury ships to offer New Zealand itineraries for New Zealanders.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

June 24, 2020

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Indefinite suspension

This follows the government’s decision this week to suspend the operation of cruise ships in New Zealand waters indefinitely.

The NZCA has asked members to contact Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis to support its catchcry — ‘Kiwi Cruising for Kiwis.’

Desperately needed support

Summers said there are cruise lines waiting to deploy ships to New Zealand, giving ‘desperately needed’ support for regional cities, towns and the countryside.

‘This is the exact restart we need,’ Summers said in a newsletter that has just gone out to members and stakeholders.

‘There is much appetite for such domestic cruising programmes and for the relief the spend will bring to regional New Zealand in particular.

‘We know that Kiwis love to cruise and right now our options for travel are severely limited like no other time in our history.’

Lost opportunity

Summers said not putting in place ‘Kiwi Cruising for Kiwis’ would be a ‘lost opportunity.’

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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