Under pressure from destinations concerned about over-tourism, the
cruise industry has made destination management one of its key
sustainability goals.
The industry is working with communities on shore to promote
sustainable tourism practices and provide models for tourism management
into the future.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says its members are
working more closely with partners at ports and in governments around
the world to show leadership in the planning and management of
visitation.
Collaborations
in key locations are addressing concerns around appropriate tourism
levels and provide working solutions that also safeguard economic
opportunities for local people.
To say “cruise tourism” is to say “managed tourism”, says CLIA managing director Australasia & Asia, Joel Katz.
“It is planned and scheduled tourism. Ports and communities know who
is coming and when, often months and years ahead. They can therefore use
the opportunity to work with cruise lines and tour operators on
planning, dispersal, transport, timing and other logistics.
“CLIA and cruise lines are placing an increasing importance on
community engagement around the world, and this is part of our ambition
to be leaders when it comes to destination stewardship and the promotion
of responsible tourism,” says Katz.
A good example, according to CLIA, is Dubrovnik in Croatia, where the
cruise association and the City of Dubrovnik have formed a partnership
to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the city through
responsible tourism management, and to help establish Dubrovnik as a
model of sustainable tourism.
The partnership brings together key stakeholders including the local
community and involves collaboration on a destination stewardship
roadmap for the city based on UN sustainable tourism criteria as well as
initiatives like a coordinated berthing policy and a “respect the city”
visitor education campaign.
More recently CLIA has embarked on new partnerships in other
locations such as Corfu and Heraklion in Greece, working with local
authorities to jointly fund tourism management assessments in
partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), that
will set the benchmarks for sustainable visitation.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director Australasia & Asia, Joel Katz
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director
Australasia & Asia, Joel Katz shares more on sustainability
developments in Asia.
What progress are you making in Asia with destination management?
Cruise visitation is on a much smaller scale in Asia than some other
parts of the world, but the aim is for cruising to develop in a
responsible way that brings economic benefits for local communities
without putting undue pressure on destinations.
CLIA and cruise lines are also forging closer working relationships
with Asian-based organisations so that cruising can develop in a
collaborative way.
Can you give us some examples?
CLIA recently took part in a cruise industry forum aimed at
discussing new cruising opportunities in Thailand, including concepts
for new destinations and cruise facilities to provide alternatives to
existing ports.
The event was hosted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of
Trade of Thailand, in conjunction with Thai Cruise Business
Association, and tackled future challenges including infrastructure
priorities and how to expand Thailand’s cruise sector to include
homeported ships and seasonal deployments.
In South Korea, CLIA recently joined the 2023 Asia Cruise Forum
hosted by Jeju Tourism Organization where we outlined the cruise
industry’s global sustainability commitments, including CLIA cruise
lines’ pursuit of net zero carbon cruising by 2050.
As part of this we reinforced the importance of working together to
achieve responsible destination management in ports across the region.
Is Singapore a shining light in developing responses to the pandemic?
CLIA and cruise lines have worked closely with the Singapore Tourism
Board and other government authorities to establish the health framework
which allowed a careful resumption of local cruising.
Singapore was a pioneer in implementing pandemic response plans for
cruising, and the close working relationships we have in Singapore will
be an important part of future collaborations to ensure cruising’s
benefits are maximised.
Is China onboard with CLIA’s sustainable goals?
In China, CLIA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Chinese Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA), which creates the
foundation for both organisations to work together and develop a
sustainable framework of shared objectives.
The MOU is seen as a positive step forward in the development of
cruising in the region and will place a focus on supporting a safe
cruise resumption and sustainable industry growth.
These and other relationships across Asia are critical to our industry’s development in a positive and sustainable way.