ACCOMMODATION Australia (AA) has welcomed the removal of cruise restrictions by the Government of New South Wales (CW 23 Aug) in the lead-up to the state’s bumper cruise season. More than one million domestic and international passengers are expected to sail on a cruise ship in Australia this summer, but...
ACCOMMODATION Australia (AA) has welcomed the removal of cruise restrictions by the Government of New South Wales (CW 23 Aug) in the lead-up to the state’s bumper cruise season.
More than one million domestic and international passengers are expected to sail on a cruise ship in Australia this summer, but lingering pandemic restrictions in New South Wales, which are set to be scrapped, had the potential to severely impact bookings, AA communicated.
The industry group’s New South Wales Manager Stacey McBride (pictued) noted the discrepancy which exists between the information provided on the Australian Government website, which states there are no cruising restrictions, and regulations in NSW, which require guests to wear a mask, and have COVID vaccination checks when boarding.
“The situation was extremely confusing for guests and had the potential to place a handbrake on what is looking like one of the best year’s forecast for cruising since COVID decimated the industry,” she said.
“The removal of restrictions on cruising in NSW could not come at a better time as we move ever closer to the start of the summer cruising season.
“At the moment we are expecting an increase in cruise bookings of around 26% compared to the 2017/18 season before COVID enforced a two-year ban on the industry.”
