Big interview Key points of the 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report:
Fleet of the future: By 2027, the CLIA ocean-going cruise line member fleet will reflect significant advancements in the cruise industry’s pursuit of a cleaner, more efficient future.
2020 global economic impact: When compared with 2019, the 2020 economic data illustrates the pandemic’s far-reaching effects on the wider cruise community and underscores the importance of cruise tourism to economies around the world.
Resumption progress: Industry-leading protocols are facilitating the resumption of cruise tourism around the world, which is putting people back to work and reinvigorating local and national economies.
Value of cruise tourists: Cruise tourists, and the money they spend, will create jobs and opportunities for local communities around the world.
Destination stewardship: Continued collaboration with local communities in the destinations that cruise ships visit remains a critical focus for the cruise industry, including in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the Greek destinations of Corfu and Heraklion, and Palma in the Balearic Islands.
Class of 2022: CLIA ocean-going member cruise lines are projected to debut 16 new cruise ships in 2022, including five LNG-powered vessels and nine expedition ships. The class of 2022 will be fully equipped with advanced wastewater treatment systems.
Source: CLIA
says. “Our vision is net carbon-neutral cruising by 2050 and our members are driving innovation to achieve this ambition. In Europe, our industry’s ability and our commitment to investing in green maritime technology will be integral to government and societal aspirations for the continent to become carbon-neutral during this time frame.” For instance, ships now routinely feature advanced wastewater treatment systems, water management systems and sophisticated recycling schemes. This means operators are able to repurpose 100% of the waste generated on board – removing it, reusing it, recycling it and converting it into energy.
Though the Covid-19 pandemic was rough for the cruising industry, Marie-Caroline Laurent believes there are brighter days ahead.
On top of that, CLIA is committed to the use of shoreside electricity, which allows engines to be switched off when in port. Two-thirds of CLIA’s fleet will be equipped for this within the next five years.
“Cruise ships have also invested substantially in more sustainable propulsion solutions,” says Laurent. “By 2027, 26 new ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), representing 52% of new capacity. As well as the immediate benefit of reduced emissions, LNG-ready ships pave the way for future renewable fuels.”
Of course, sustainable tourism also means caring about the destinations that passengers visit. Cruise activities, remarks Laurent, can bring a positive impact to shoreside economies, especially the many remote and coastal communities that rely on cruise tourism across Europe. The goal is to help these communities thrive, while preserving their heritage and culture for future generations. “CLIA and its members are engaging with local authorities and communities to promote a sustainable management of the destinations,” she says. “For example, CLIA’s partnership with the city of Dubrovnik is focused on collaboration and innovative solutions to help manage tourism flows.”
All hands on deck
So, as Laurent establishes herself in the new role, what does she see as her key priorities? She remarks that, while driving green growth is part of the picture, she also wants to help the industry recover from what has been the most challenging time in its history.
“Full resumption of cruise is the foremost priority for the coming year. We continue to make solid progress in the right direction, and we anticipate being almost back to full capacity by August 2022,” she says.
That said, there is still a measure of uncertainty that makes some people loathe planning vacations. Laurent thinks we need clear, safe and consistent rules to help support traveller confidence. What is more, these rules need to be agreed upon through coordination between national governments. “While cruise operators are extremely agile in their ability to adapt, for example, changing itineraries based on local circumstances, the changing travel restrictions are challenging for the entire travel sector,” she adds.
There can be no doubt that this is a challenging time for the sector in general – and for someone lacking Laurent’s experience, it would probably be a daunting time to begin a role at CLIA. However, she is bursting with enthusiasm for the cruise industry and its potential; the people who make it tick; the technologies driving it forward; and all the new, more positive stories she hopes to tell.
“People who work in travel are passionate and driven, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the people across the cruise community, whether on board or onshore, who all contribute to putting on such incredible, unique travel experiences,” she says. ●
10 World Cruise Industry Review /
www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
Yevgen Belich/
Shutterstock.com
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