In anticipation of a restart of domestic cruising in Australia, hundreds of travel agents had their first chance to inspect the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at a Carnival Australia-hosted business update.
Speaking at one of the information sessions, Sture Myrmell, President of Carnival Australia, praised the travel agents for their resilience during the pandemic and for their unflinching loyalty to cruising.
The cruise terminal project, which was underwritten by Carnival Australia, gives Brisbane Australia’s newest purpose-built facility poised to become a vital part in the resumption of cruising and the rebuilding of the tourism economy.
Myrmell thanked the Port of Brisbane for facilitating the agents’ preview of the terminal and expressed confidence that cruising would resume and help deliver brighter days for the dedicated travel agent community.
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“Our travel agent partners were extremely important to our business and to cruising as a whole before the pandemic,” Myrmell told the attending frontline sellers.
“You are just as important to us now and we are especially grateful for what you have done in keeping the faith for the return of cruising.
“Our travel agent partners will be even more important to us when our ships begin to sail again.”
Myrmell said Carnival Australia’s cruise lines had been building for the future during the pause in operations knowing that there was a deep reservoir of pent-up demand for cruise holidays.
He said the cruise lines were committed to being part of the revival of the travel and tourism sector, which had been so hard hit by the pandemic.
Carnival Australia is the Australian arm of global travel and leisure company, Carnival Corporation, and accounts locally for seven brands, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, and Seabourn.
Myrmell said it was inconceivable that Federal and State governments would lightly dismiss an industry that contributed more than $5 billion annually to national, state and regional economies particularly in Queensland.
“Cruising has made it to the other side in other international markets and it will do so here as well,” Myrmell forecast.
“Globally, seven of Carnival Corporation’s nine brands are either already sailing again or are soon to do so. Cruising has resumed in Britain, Europe and in Asia and is about to restart in the US.
“Hundreds of thousands of guests have already sailed on cruises in various parts of the world without incident and, as the vaccination rollout continues to grow here, confidence in travel will also grow with it. There is every reason for optimism.”
Lead image: Sture Myrmell, President Carnival Australia and Roy Cummins, CEO Port of Brisbane lead a group of travel agents on a tour of the state of the art Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.