By
Alex Smith |
Quebec’s cruise industry association Cruise the Saint Lawrence is now making preparations for a 2022 relaunch, after the halt to cruise operations in Canadian was extended until 28 February next year.
A total of 200 port bookings have been made for 2022, representing an estimated 300,000 passenger days for Cruise the Saint Lawrence’s member ports. Around 100,000 overnight night stays for hotels in Québec and Montréal have also been booked.
“The relaunch of the cruise industry in Québec is tied to the resumption of international travel and full-fledged recovery of tourism and recreational activities,” said Tony Boemi, president of Cruise the Saint Lawrence. “Both are essential for guaranteeing port of call sustainability and ongoing regional economic diversity.”
The association will now develop a Health Safety Plan for the resumption of sailing, as well as a Sustainable Development Strategy to ensure that the industry makes a profitable return.
“This latest pause will enable us to continue work on innovative passenger and ship greeting initiatives,” said Boemi. “In this regard, implementation of our Sustainable Development Strategy has begun. This strategy is designed to help us rethink how we do what we do, enhance our contribution to socioeconomic vitality in Québec and preserve local ecosystems.”