7 0 A positive outlook Cruise Line International Association’s Kelly Craighead briefs Rebecca Barnes on the industry’s key updates With post-pandemic recovery well underway and most ships in service once again, the cruise industry is almost back to what might be considered business as usual. Now that a return to full normality is on the horizon, it is time for the industry to build on the momentum while keeping ships and passengers healthy and happy. The sector has clearly proven its resilience, but how have the changes been received and when is a full resumption likely? CFR catches up with Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) president and CEO Kelly Craighead for an update. What have you been your main focuses in the past six months? The cruise industry as a whole has been positively recognised for its overall response to the global pandemic, as well as the high bar that has been set for health and safety protocols. We are now moving with the same focus and determination against our ambitious long-term sustainability goals. Throughout the pandemic, our members and partners continued to make great headway towards responsible maritime and tourism practices, sustainability, and the implementation of new environmental technologies. What progress has been made since ships resumed sailing? The industry has proven its resilience throughout its more than 50-year history, evidenced by our responsible return to operations in July 2020 in Europe. About 10 million people have sailed worldwide since cruising resumed and today, the intent to cruise among both travellers who have cruised before and those who are considering it for the first time, is higher than it was prior to the pandemic. Nearly 100 per cent of the CLIA ocean-going cruise line fleet is on track to be back in service by midsummer. The combination of the robust health and safety protocols implemented by the cruise lines with the passion of cruise travellers has created tremendous momentum for a successful restart. Importantly, the industry is supporting both an economic and societal recovery as more and more people are able to reconnect with family and friends during a cruise holiday. How is Covid-19 continuing to impact the industry? While it’s clear that Covid-19 is part of our society and likely will be for the foreseeable future, it’s also evident that cruise lines have demonstrated their ability and agility to mitigate the risk of the virus onboard ships more effectively than in virtually any other setting. In fact, compared to what we are seeing on land, even with the emergence and ebbing and flowing of new variants, the vast majority of cases identified on cruise ships have been mild or asymptomatic and there has been an extraordinarily low number of hospitalisations. We expect various protocols will ease as the public health environment continues to improve. The easing and alignment of travel restrictions has been critical to the rebound in travel and “ We expect cruise will help lead the industry in its pursuit of net-zero emissions and responsible tourism practices” INTERV IEW
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