THE Australian Government’s inaction on a cruise restart is hurting Aboriginal communities, Ponant Chair Asia Pacific Sarina Bratton told Fri’s Cruise Lines International Association Cruise Forum (CW 27 Aug).
The many Indigenous communities Ponant deals with, particularly in North West Australia (pictured), have now missed two years of revenue tied to shore excursions, including $1.6m this year, Bratton revealed.
“These people give you an example of the scale we’re talking about,” she said.
“It’s devastating for them.”
Bratton said the affected communities have recently written to the Prime Minister to draw attention to the situation.
The circumstance is one example of many similar situations Bratton detailed, which also included food & beverage operators and travel advisors.
“You have a look at the Australians who are employed aboard ships…we’ve got expedition leaders, we’ve got naturalists, we’ve got guest lecturers, we’ve got entertainers, we have spa personnel, all of these people don’t have jobs,” Bratton said.
“When we’re talking about domestic restarts, 90% of the business is booked through travel agents, against where there’s been govt subsidies to domestic flights or vouchers – how much flows through our valued travel agent – very, very, little.”
