Australian politicians have been sent an overwhelming message of support for a resumption of cruising, with 40,000 emails sent to state and federal MPs as part of the Ready, Set, Sail campaign launched last month by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Over the past month CLIA‘s Ready, Set, Sail campaign initiative has targeted travel agents, industry stakeholders and other members of Australia’s extensive cruise community, urging them to help advocate for cruising’s revival. The campaign involves an online tool at www.ReadySetSail.com.au, which allows supporters to message politicians quickly and easily.
CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the response to the campaign had been beyond expectations.
“Australia has always been one of the world’s most passionate cruise markets and the number of supporters who have joined our campaign is a sign of that passion,” Mr Katz said.
“It’s also a reflection of the many thousands of people whose livelihoods have been jeopardised by the suspension of cruising, which ordinarily supports more than 18,000 jobs around the country.”
Mr Katz said despite the recent extension of Australia’s cruise suspension, the replies many supporters had received from their MPs showed their messages were being heard.
“There can no longer be any doubt about how extensive the Australian cruise community is, so we will work hard to maintain the momentum and ensure MPs know how important cruising is to the Australian economy,” he said.
The messages sent by cruise supporters will provide reinforcement to the ongoing discussions taking place between CLIA and governments as the industry works towards revival.
CLIA and its cruise line members are calling for governments to agree upon a detailed framework for cruising’s resumption, backed by the industry’s extensive new global health protocols.
The industry is pushing for the implementation of these protocols as part of a phased resumption that begins with domestic cruising for Australians, within an Australian bubble.
To join the Ready, Set, Sail campaign, visit www.ReadySetSail.com.au and use the template to reach MPs.