| CW breaking news – CLIA warns of massive job losses

Ongoing cruise suspension threatens 13,000 workers. 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has just released new economic analysis forecasting a massive hit to the industry and the wider economy if the current ban on cruising extends past mid-September.

A study conducted by economic analysis firm AEC Group shows the shutdown had already cost the economy almost $500 million to the end of May, and in the absence of the JobKeeper program would have impacted almost 1,700 local jobs.

“It forecasts that if the cruise suspension continues beyond its current date of 17 September and into the summer high season, the economic loss to Australia would total a further $3.8 billion and place another 13,000 jobs at risk,” according to CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz.

He said the worldwide cruising suspensions had been the right response to confront COVID-19, but noted the enormous cost to those making up the wider cruise community.

“There are many thousands of travel agents, tour operators, ports and destinations, technical support providers and food and beverage suppliers who support the cruise industry and are suffering enormous financial stress,” Katz said.

More details in today’s issues of Travel Daily and Cruise Weekly.