| New #WeAreCruise drops

THE shutdown of Illawarra business Kollaras & Co (pictured) shows the impact of the ongoing suspension of domestic cruise operations on the local economy.

Kollaras & Co has joined a number of businesses in voicing support for the revival of the cruise industry, with the beverage solutions specialist having had to cut staff and rationalise operations since cruise ships stopped sailing in Mar.

In the latest instalment of the #WeAreCruise video series, Managing Director John Kollaras explains how businesses along the cruise industry supply chain have been impacted, and their need for certainty in the future.

“I think clarity is what everybody requires — a plan, a framework, so that everyone can collaborate, from government through to the downstream suppliers like us, to make sure we can restart this industry and get people cruising again,” Kollaras says in the video.

Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said cruise lines had committed to extensive new health measures to support future operations, and that it was now vital to plan for a phased and carefully controlled resumption of local cruising.

“Australia’s success in stemming the transmission of COVID-19 means we have an opportunity for a controlled reintroduction of domestic cruises – restricted to Australian residents only and with extensive testing and screening measures in place,” Katz said.

“Cruising ordinarily contributes more than $5 billion a year to the Australian economy, but thousands of jobs are now at risk while ships aren’t operating.

“While the suspension of cruising has been the right response to COVID-19, it’s important that we plan a pathway towards resumption with extensive health measures in place, so that we can restore economic opportunities to regional areas and other communities around our coast.”

View the video HERE.