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Flight shaming AviAtion And the environment

April 2020

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travelBulletin April 2020 1

www.travelbulletin.com.au

travelBulletin is part of the Business Publishing Group family of publications

EDITORIALEditor in Chief and Publisher – Bruce Piper

Editorial and Production Manager – Sarah Beyer Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760 [email protected]

Editorial team – Jasmine Hanna, Adam Bishop, Nick O’Donoghue, Myles Stedman, Janie Medbury

ADvERTIsIng national sales Manager Lisa Maroun Ph: 0405 132 575 or 02 8007 6760 [email protected]

ARTDesign – Sarah Beyer

Publishing Director – Jenny Piper

Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd Macquarie Park NSW 2113 AustraliaPO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 AustraliaTel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760

5,355 Avg Net Distribution per IssueThis publication is independently audited under the AMAA's CAB Total Distribution Audit.

Reporting Period: 16 Apr 2016 – 16 Sep 2016 - Publisher Statement

6,8301 Apr 2018 to 31 Mar 2019

38

Steve Jones, Joel Katz, Melissa Schembri

This month’s contributors

Features32 Community

Want to have a positive impact when you travel?

36 OceansHow bad for the environment is ocean cruising really?

38 WildlifeWhat does it mean to experience wildlife sustainably?

40 Carbon emissionsWhat actually are carbon credits?

14

Cover story14 Flight shaming and the future of aviation

Although its not really something that is a concern with the impact of COVID-19, flight shaming is a movement that is rising in popularity. What does it mean for travellers in the future? Steve Jones investigates.

Monthly 02 State of the industry

08 Issues and trends

20 Business view

22 Cruise

ColuMns02 From the publisher

06 Steve Jones

08 AFTA View

31 CLIA View

32

36

Bottom left – ©Ports of Stockholm

Contents

2 travelBulletin April 2020

COVID-19 destroys the industryTHE sudden impact of the government-imposed restrictions attempting to curtail the spread of coronavirus has effectively crushed what was previously a bright spot in the Australian economy. Each day has brought new announcements, forcing industry suppliers, agency groups, airlines and cruise companies to react swiftly by cutting costs to save at least some remnants of their businesses.

The rapid collapse of business for publicly listed entities has been a stark indicator of the carnage being rendered right across the industry. Flight Centre, Helloworld Travel, Webjet, Corporate Travel Management, Qantas, Virgin

Australia and Regional Express have all announced massive cutbacks, with Flight Centre having already stood down about 3,800 of its Australian workforce and axing the Universal Traveller (formerly Student Flights) brand. Flight Centre has also suspended trading in its shares, along with Webjet, as both companies urgently seek new liquidity. Share prices have taken a massive beating, smashing the wealth of travel company leaders but also creating some potential buying opportunities for people who are optimistic about a recovery.

Amid the collapses, however, one move was somewhat intriguing. In contrast to Flight Centre, which suspended its planned dividend payment, the Helloworld Travel Limited

IN BRIEF

IT’S almost impossible to comprehend the scale of change in the global travel sector over the last few weeks or so. Like everyone else in travel and tourism, each day I wake up hoping the COVID-19 crisis was just a dream – or more accurately, a nightmare.

This time last month we were all blithely going about business as usual, planning upcoming trips and promotional activity as we rode the wave of a seemingly unstoppable prosperity-driven surge in global travel demand. Then in the second week of March everything suddenly changed, and to describe the impact on the industry as an apocalypse is hardly an exaggeration.

Our own business has been hit hard, and like employers across the nation we have had to make some devastating decisions, seeing the departure of some fantastic staff as we try to keep things afloat – hopefully meaning we will be able to expand again once things improve. Governments are attempting to step in, but the thousands of people out of work from travel agencies, airlines, cruise companies and other industry suppliers are testament to the fact that the interventions offered so far are just not enough to keep people in jobs.

Although the whole economy is in tatters, it seems to me that, at least initially, there was limited recognition that the travel and tourism sectors were right in the front line of the coronavirus restrictions. No other

industries were directly hit by the early waves of government directives, including the unprecedented imposition of a total travel ban. Not only did confidence in future bookings decline meaning there is absolutely no business coming in the door, but at the same time travel agents and industry suppliers were busier than ever as they dealt with rebookings, repatriations, cancellations and refunds.

So where do we go from here? It’s basically a question of survival. Costs have to be cut to the bone, and businesses must decide just how long they can ride out the downturn. Will the industry ever recover? History would suggest that it will, but in these dark hours it’s hard to be optimistic.

But optimistic we must be, because what else can we do? The global medical community is working on a vaccine. The “hammer” of border closures across the globe must have some impact in stopping the virus in its tracks. As I write this COVID-19 infection rates in Australia appear to be slowing. If the world suddenly gets a handle on this devastating virus the sun will come out, so don’t lose heart.

For our part we will continue to inform the industry to the best of our ability, for as long as we can. We are a family business, but more than that we believe that you, the Australian travel and tourism industry, are our family, and we are with you.

From the publisherBruce Piper

stAte of the industry


“Unfortunately AFTA was not in a position to either provide advance support to the [Fly365] business prior to its failure or predict this outcome

”Jayson Westbury, CEO, AFTA

Board paid out more than $11 million in dividends to shareholders just four days before standing down about 65% of its workforce.

Vale industry legendsTHE Australian travel industry was saddened to hear of the death last month of Bill McNamara, a larger than life character whose generosity and friendship will long be remembered. McNamara, described as an “unstoppable salesman,” started his career with Stewart Moffatt Travel in Melbourne, and then moved onto a range of other roles including at Pan Am, British Caledonian Airways and Hilton Hotels. Ultimately he established his own travel representation company, and in recent years maintained his network by convening regular “Travel Elite Club” events.

Also dying after an extensive career last month was Mike Lee, who held a range of roles including at Orient Line, ANZ Bank Travel and Landmark Travel. Lee, aged 85, was also Australian President of Skal International from 1992 to 1996, and passed away in Sydney after a brief respiratory illness unrelated to COVID-19.

Fly365 crash and burnALTHOUGH it now seems like a distant memory, it’s only a few weeks since the owners of online travel agency Fly365 placed the business into administration. The Gold Coast-based business, headed up by former Bestjet executive Scott Mayne and Dubai-based Mustafa Filizkok, ceased trading, leaving thousands of travellers in limbo. The situation has of course been exacerbated since Fly365 shut down, with the COVID-19 crisis seeing flights across the globe cancelled and impacted ticketholders having difficulty dealing directly with airlines as they seek refunds, rebookings and chargebacks.

Ironically despite the outrage at the collapse, it appears that the chargeback provisions of the Australian Consumer Law have by and large worked well. Initial cries of despair by Fly365 customers on a Facebook support group have been

replaced by expressions of delight as travellers receive refunds along with generous support from several airlines caught up in the collapse.

No so much joy, however, for Helloworld’s Air Tickets consolidation operation, which appears to have been the only ticketer still dealing with Fly365 when it went under. Air Tickets’ operations in Australia and New Zealand are owed more than $3 million by the business, according to figures from the Administrator, with the only other major creditors being metasearch providers Skyscanner and Kayak, which were a key part of the Fly365 business model.

Unfortunately it appears AFTA was blindsided by the collapse of Fly365, which was part of the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme when it went down. However some customers of the business have highlighted some very strange behaviour in the lead-up to the collapse, including issuing bookings in the most expensive “Y” class which allows up to 30 days’ deferral of payment.

AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury said the Federation “strongly believes that

contributing circumstances beyond the control of AFTA and the ATAS scheme have resulted in this outcome...AFTA does all that it can to monitor and review travel businesses who hold ATAS accreditation and for the most part this has enabled AFTA to predict certain outcomes but on this occasion, unfortunately AFTA was not in a position to either provide advance support to the business prior to its failure or predict this outcome”.

It’s hoped that more will become apparent as the Administrator’s investigations proceed.

SQ outlines NDC plansLAST month Singapore Airlines kicked off a national roadshow, closely engaging with Australian travel agents in relation to the rollout of its new KrisConnect NDC-based platform. SQ GM Agency Sales Greg McJarrow stressed the airline’s strong desire to collaborate with the industry, noting that “in Australia NDC is not new, and rollouts so far have caused some

Continues over page

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents celebrated 20 years of success at its annual National Conference early last month, with the event taking place just as the clouds of COVID-19 began to gather. During the MTA Conference, CEO Don Beattie highlighted the strong performance of individual agents within the network, with TTV growing significantly faster than member numbers.

The conference included a special performance by pop star Guy Sebastian, who was presented with a portrait by MTA co-founders Roy and Karen Merricks, painted by their nephew, artist Paul Trappett.

MTA REAlly lIkES IT lIkE ThAT


04 Mar Wendy Wu China return04 Mar Viking 24hr canx policy05 Mar Flight Centre tightens belt05 Mar G Adv biggest month yet06 Mar EK, NZ cut change fees06 Mar Force for Good LA09 Mar China is reopening: Wu09 Mar Borders starting to close10 Mar QF responds to COVID-1910 Mar Italy expands lockdown10 Mar DFAT updates cruise advice11 Mar AFTA COVID-19 advice11 Mar HLO takes “decisive action”12 Mar Prepare for recovery: TA12 Mar India to suspend visa12 Mar Trump bans travel from US to Europe12 Mar Viking cancels all cruises13 Mar Princess suspends to May13 Mar VA reduce capacity, exec pay and spending13 Mar Flight Centre closures13 Mar TP refreshes and grows13 Mar Globus suspends til 30 Apr13 Mar TTC suspending all trips to Europe, Middle East, Asia13 Mar DFAT advises “reconsider all overseas travel”14 Mar More cruise lines cancel14 Mar Carnival and P&O suspend in Australia15 Mar Govt imposes isolation16 Mar Travel Partners eyes 1,00017 Mar QF, NZ cut more capacity17 Mar New travel spend report17 Mar AFTA urges govt support17 Mar Govt $715m airline bailout18 Mar VA suspends international18 Mar “Do not Travel” advisory18 Mar CATO – credits, not refunds18 Mar FC accelerates “urgent business review”18 Mar ATE and FC Global cancelled19 Mar QF, Jetstar to suspend int’l19 Mar AFTA emergency support19 Mar FCTG prepares for cuts19 Mar Govt closes borders to international visitors20 Mar Massive industry job cuts20 Mar Govt lends Air NZ $900m22 Mar EK, CX route cutbacks23 Mar HLO to stand down 65% workforce, 275 redundant23 Mar “Calm and confident”: Wu23 Mar AFTA pushing government24 Mar Emirates, Etihad grounded24 Mar Agents calls for protection24 Mar 2020 NTIA cancelled24 Mar PM: total ban on travel

hEADlINES

the touring specialist after the shock departure of Troy Ackerman from the role after just a few weeks. Mulholland formerly headed up Wendy Wu’s local business in 2016 and 2017. Ackerman meanwhile has moved to Collette Tours, taking on an 18 month contract as Director of Strategic Partnerships, helping to cover the absence of Amanda McCann during her maternity leave.

Another big change took place early last month at The Travel Corporation’s Insight Vacations, with the planned departure of MD Alexandra O’Connor after four years in the role. She is being replaced via the internal promotion of Karen Deveson, who has been Head of Marketing for Insight and Luxury Gold since May 2016. Deveson is expected to take up her new position early next month, according to an announcement from The Travel Corporation.

On the cruise side two senior marketing roles were also filled in recent weeks, with Cruiseco’s Emma Mumford becoming Head of Marketing for Celebrity Cruises in Australia, while former Scenic and Brand USA staffer Liz Glover has become Marketing Director for Silversea Cruises.

angst, which has resulted in some trepidation towards our position at Singapore Ailrines”. The elephant in the room, was of course the controversial introduction last year of the Qantas Channel, which in the opinion of much of the industry has so far not delivered on its widely touted promises.

Singapore Airlines is undertaking wide collaboration, with a variety of options to connect to its NDC content and a range of exclusive NDC-only discounted fares and the ability to earn commission on ancillaries. The KrisConnect platform will allow agents to be offered incentives for the sale of fare add-ons, along with bonuses for achieving high levels of usage.

Executive appointmentsSEVERAL senior industry vacancies were filled just before the COVID-19 apocalpyse, with new appointees looking to have been thrown into the deep end of managing the crisis. Roles included the return of Andrew Mulholland to Wendy Wu Tours, taking over as Managing Director of

Continues from previous page

THE travel and tourism sector is rapidly adapting to the “new normal” of social distancing and isolation to limit the spread of coronavirus.

itravel is one of the many organisations which have begun virtual meetings, with member agents from across the country logging in to a video gathering last month.

The conversation, about the ever-changing airline reissue policies – was very serious, until someone revealed an almost empty bottle of gin from under her desk!

MEETINgS IN ThE AgE OF COVID



DATA ROOM

Source Trend (000)

Original (000)

TrendDec 19/Jan 20

%

Trend Jan 19/Jan 20

%New Zealand 121.3 97.1 +0.5 +3.9China 112.7 156.6 -1.8 -5.5USA 68.8 70.6 +1.1 +0.0UK 60.0 72.1 -0.2 -0.8Japan 42.8 34.0 +0.9 +6.0Singapore 38.8 19.4 -0.2 +0.9India 34.5 24.5 -0.4 +10.9Malaysia 31.0 14.4 -0.6 -2.4Hong Kong 26.9 26.8 +0.9 +4.0South Korea 23.4 29.4 +0.0 +3.0All INboUNd 788.9 766.6 +0.1 +1.6

ARRIVAlSTop 10 destinations, January 2020

Source: AbS

Destination Trend(000)

Original(000)

TrendDec 19/Jan 20

%

Trend Jan 19/Jan 20

%Indonesia 125.0 143.2 +0.4 +14.3New Zealand 124.7 201.9 -0.2 +3.2USA 86.6 112.3 +0.1 -4.1UK 56.3 82.5 +0.8 +2.1China 52.7 72.5 +1.3 +4.1Japan 48.3 87.8 -0.1 +21.9Thailand 42.5 54.4 -1.1 -9.2Singapore 38.6 50.2 +0.5 +16.2India 36.5 88.4 +0.8 +4.4Fiji 29.3 36.2 +0.0 +2.0All oUTboUNd 969.4 1,397.4 +0.4 +3.8

RETURNSTop 10 destinations, January 2020

Source: AbS

INTERNATIONAl AIR ROUTES Top 10 city pairs, December 2019

City pair Passengers YE Dec 18

Passengers YE Dec 19

% of total % change 19/18

Singapore-Melbourne 1,545,311 1,629,492 3.8 +5.4Auckland-Sydney 1,556,816 1,602,232 3.8 +2.9Singapore-Sydney 1,520,882 1,537,148 3.6 +1.1Auckland-Melbourne 1,254,977 1,251,457 2.9 -0.3Hong Kong-Sydney 1,149,236 1,195,224 2.8 +4.0Singapore-Perth 1,120,855 1,131,233 2.7 +0.9Singapore-brisbane 852,842 964,447 2.3 +13.1Auckland-brisbane 952,865 955,385 2.2 +0.3los Angeles-Sydney 859,610 908,540 2.1 +5.7denpasar-Perth 889,007 893,420 2.1 +0.5Top 10 City Pairs 11,702,401 12,068,578 28.4 +3.1other City Pairs 29,872,912 30,439,877 71.6 +1.9All CITY PAIRS 41,575,313 42,508,455 100.0 +2.2

Source: bITRE

+6.9

%

+2.9%

-0.8%

-1.2%

+6.1%

+6.9%

-0.4%

+12.9%

+2.3%

+0.1%

INTERNATIONAl AIR MARkET ShAREInternational passengers by major airline – year ended December 2019

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2017

Chart I International Passengers Carried (thousands) - December 2015 to December 2017

Chart II International Passengers by Major Airlines - Year ended December 2017

Table I International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs

Foreign Australian Year ended Year ended Year ended % of % Change

Port Port December 2015 December 2016 December 2017 Total 2017/16

Auckland Sydney 1 540 790 1 604 944 1 579 904 4.0% -1.6%Singapore Sydney 1 461 382 1 455 015 1 485 919 3.8% 2.1%Singapore Melbourne 1 214 169 1 362 099 1 420 841 3.6% 4.3%Auckland Melbourne 1 149 693 1 193 283 1 229 495 3.1% 3.0%Singapore Perth 1 061 213 1 124 742 1 154 838 2.9% 2.7%Hong Kong Sydney 993 075 1 075 353 1 075 624 2.7% 0.0%Auckland Brisbane 968 140 964 067 970 776 2.5% 0.7%Los Angeles Sydney 909 663 906 403 887 004 2.2% -2.1%Denpasar Perth 857 009 896 951 834 897 2.1% -6.9%Singapore Brisbane 805 784 787 326 823 139 2.1% 4.5%Top 10 City Pairs 10 960 918 11 370 183 11 462 437 28.9% 0.8%Other City Pairs 23 905 731 26 246 570 28 153 377 71.1% 7.3%

ALL CITY PAIRS 34 866 649 37 616 753 39 615 814 100.0% 5.3%

8

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INBOUND OUTBOUND

Qantas Airways,16.4%

Jetstar, 9.1%

Emirates, 8.3%

Singapore Airlines,8.1%

Air New Zealand, 6.6%Virgin Australia,

6.0%

Cathay Pacific Airways, 4.6%

AirAsia X, 4.0%

Etihad Airways, 3.2%

China Southern Airlines, 3.1%

Others, 30.7%

Source: bITRE

others, 32.1%

Malaysia Airlines, 2.6%

Cathay Pacific Airways, 4.5%

Virgin Australia, 6.7%

China Southern Airlines, 3.1%

Air New Zealand, 6.8%

Emirates, 6.8%

Qantas Airways, 17.4%

Singapore Airlines, 8.3%

Jetstar, 8.7%

Qatar Airways, 3.0%

Jan 19 Jan 20 Growth %

Yr to Jan 19

Yr to Jan 20

Growth %

Total pax carried 5.07m 5.09m +0.5 61.07m 61.38m +0.5Revenue pax km (RPK) 6.01bn 6.05bn +0.5 71.21bn 71.51bn +0.4Avail seat kms (ASK) 7.62bn 7.37bn -3.3 88.44bn 88.26bn -0.2load factor (%) 78.9 82.0 +3.1* 80.5 81.0 +0.5*Aircraft trips (000) 51.5 50.1 -2.7 629.4 634.7 +0.8 *Percentage points difference

Source: bITRE

DOMESTIC AIR MARkETJanuary 2020

Arrivals on time 76.1%departure on time 78.9%Cancellations 3.3%


DOMESTIC ON TIME PERFORMANCE

February 2020



Virgin Australia All airlines

Jetstar Qantas


AUSTRAlIAN AIRPORTSInternational passengers through Australia’s major international airports, December 2019

City pair Passengers YE Dec 18

Passengers YE Dec 19

% of total % change 19/18

Sydney 16,762,485 16,890,441 39.7 +0.8Melbourne 11,223,884 11,318,644 26.6 +0.8brisbane 6,112,234 6,425,564 15.1 +5.1Perth 4,365,971 4,363,180 10.3 -0.1Adelaide 1,025,961 1,128,592 2.7 +10.0Gold Coast 1,025,198 940,995 2.2 -8.2Cairns 662,551 651,824 1.5 -1.6Avalon (a) 31,812 417,962 1.0 +1,213.9darwin 228,591 256,030 0.6 +12.0Canberra 94,922 85,069 0.2 -10.4Sunshine Coast (b) 14,303 13,084 0.0 -8.5Port Hedland 8,474 8,891 0.0 +4.9Newcastle (c) 2,740 7,124 0.0 +160.0Norfolk Island (d) .. 1,055 0.0 ..Townsville (e) 16,187 .. .. ..All AIRPoRTS 41,575,313 42,508,455 100.0 +2.2(a) Scheduled passenger services commenced dec ‘18(b) Seasonal services only(c) Scheduled services (seasonal) recommenced Nov ‘18

(d) Scheduled services ceased May ‘17 and recommenced Sep ‘19

(e) Scheduled services ceased Sep ‘18

Source: bITRE

City pair Passengers YE Jan 19

(000)

Passengers YE Jan 20

(000)

% change

Melbourne-Sydney 9,250.3 9.171.6 -0.9

brisbane-Sydney 4,834.4 4,825.1 -0.2brisbane-Melbourne

3,574.7 3,620.7 +1.3

Gold Coast-Sydney

2,718.9 2,744.0 +0.9

Adelaide-Melbourne

2,496.3 2,538.6 +1.7

Melbourne-Perth 2,114.5 2,114.1 +0.0Gold Coast-Melbourne

2,063.0 2,112.4 +2.4

Adelaide-Sydney 1,902.8 1,872.4 -1.6Perth-Sydney 1,715.2 1,688.6 -1.6Hobart-Melbourne 1,657.7 1,672.4 +0.9All CITY PAIRS 61,070.5 61,384.0 +0.5

MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTESTop 10 domestic

city pairs, January 2020

Source: bITRE

AUSTRAlIAN CONSUMER SPEND ON TRAVEl: NEwS CORP AUSTRAlIA INDEx

IN THIS column last month, when COVID-19 was still largely China-centric, I lamented the travel industry’s mounting issues with this rhetorical question.

“You start to wonder, in a mildly paranoiac way, what’s next?” Well, now we know. I wish I hadn’t asked.

Closed borders, stay-at-home warnings, self-isolation, social distancing. It’s still hard to take in. Yet here we are. And how long it will last is anyone’s guess. Dare we hope that come the latter part of April, the situation may be a little

Steve Jones’ Say

of this. And never before has this been so evident.

We all take travel for granted. The weekend before the European shutdown, I was in Copenhagen. I had looked forward to the trip. But I didn’t really appreciate the ease, the low price, and the opportunity that I had. We’ve become complacent, nonchalant – spoilt even – about our ability to travel wherever we want, whenever we want, often at remarkably low cost. Only when we’re deprived of what we naturally do, and what we love, do we truly understand and appreciate our good fortune.

With support of Government and industry associations, businesses must somehow navigate the crisis. Unpalatable decisions have already been made. More will follow.

However long this lasts, keeping in touch with customers, planning marketing for when green shoots emerge, and communicating regularly with suppliers will be critical. Everyone is reeling, everyone is hurting, and everyone will need to come together. Shared learning and experiences could be the difference between survival and ruin.

Qantas is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Some party this is turning out to be.

brighter? It’s a remote, naïve hope, but cling to it we must.

If this plays out, as predicted, over several weeks – months even – there will be business casualties. Regardless of government support, how can there not be given the nature and scale of the crisis?

From agents to tour operators, airlines to ground handlers, hotels to cruise lines, these are clearly desperate times. But let’s not forget communities in destinations around the world which rely so heavily on tourist income to put food on the table. Their lifeblood has vanished, overnight. And while a recovery will start, at some point, it could be painfully slow given the economic battering we are facing. People without jobs, the financially fragile, don’t tend to take holidays. It’s to be hoped that those with bookings towards the end of the year will hold their nerve, rather than cancelling now.

We all know the industry is a resilient one. It’s had to be over the years. It’s developed a thick skin, a resourcefulness, an ability, and agility, to bounce back from adversity. Yet true as this may be, the industry is only ever as resilient as the travelling public. Without the ability, or the desire to travel, the industry fails to function. It sounds banal, but we sometimes lose sight

“The industry is a resilient one...yet as true as this may be, the industry is only ever as resilient as the travelling public

”

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EvEnTs FACE biggEsT ChAllEngE On rECOrd THE outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe has slammed governments, businesses and individuals with a wave of unprecedented challenges. While the travel and tourism industry has essentially grinded to a halt, the business events industry is also feeling the effects – and strongly.

As the virus began spreading from China to other countries, and as the death toll rose, we began to see numerous event cancellations in Australia and across the globe.

In light of the high infection rates of COVID-19, the Federal Government advised the Australian public on 13 March against holding or attending events with 500 or more people.

Less than a week later, on 18 March, the Government tightened the restrictions further, announcing a ban on indoor events with 100 or more people, as well as a ban on outdoor events with 500 or more people. At the time of writing, gatherings have been further

restricted to a requirement of 4m2 per person and a suspension of all non-essential gatherings.

Unsurprisingly, event cancellations increased tenfold, extending to major cultural events like The Royal Sydney Easter Show and Vivid Sydney.

The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) didn’t paint a very cheerful picture last month when calculating how the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect the Australian events industry, suggesting the shutdown of the sector would wipe an estimated $2.5 billion from the national economy every month.

“It is a dire situation for the sector, for the nation, for the world,” lamented BECA Chair Vanessa Findlay.

“To give context, this is equivalent to the value of the entire cruise industry every two months”.

The figures would hardly be surprising to people working within the industry who know just how valuable business events are as a bridge between a virtually all

business sectors.Annually the industry rakes in $30 billion

for the Australian economy and employs more than 193,000 people, running more than 430,000 events annually.

Findlay said the focal point for the sector’s rescue strategy right now is ensuring governments are doing all that they can to keep the events industry afloat while the country rides out the worst of the outbreak.

In the meantime, some organisers have been looking at creative ways to ride out the crisis, with virtual streaming of events one avenue that some expos and conferences have pursued.

Recent examples of this pivot include the streaming of the Australian Pharmacy Professional (APP) conference online, which included 28 hours of content in 44 sessions, as well as technology expo QODE Brisbane, which signed a partnership agreement with Youtube to ensure the high-profile event went ahead.

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TRAVEl PARTNERS BRINgS EVOlUTION INTO FOCUS

IN ONE of the last events before mass industry cancellations and shutdowns in the travel industry, Travel Partners convened in Bangkok its 2020 conference, conveniently themed

“Partners in Evolution”.The three-night event was tailored to help

attendees equip their business for the times ahead, with speakers focusing on topics including tackling challenges, remaining profitable and strategies to stand out.

During the event, Travel Partners General Manager Kate Cameron told travelBulletin that the brand was plotting massive growth under its Flight Centre Trave Group ownership, with the long-term goal to reach 1,000 agents in the network.

Cameron said the network had a total of 276 agents, comprising a 149 mobile agents and 127 members outlets, with the brand in March on track to reach 300 agents by the end of the financial year.

Although Cameron noted that the COVID-19 outbreak would have an impact on the speed the group achieved these long-term goals, she remained confident that after the industry got through the associated challenges, the plans would resume.

“At the moment we’ve just got to bed down and look after the guys that we’ve got... and then from there, yes obviously we will go back into growth mode,” she said.

Prior to COVID-19, Travel Partners was on track to achieve its Total Transaction Value (TTV) goal of $160 million this financial year,

up from $120 million last year.In January, the group was halfway to its

TTV and profit goals for the financial year and in February had its largest month ever for profit and TTV.

“Had COVID-19 not happened, I think we would have really smashed our targets,” Cameron told travelBulletin.

Travel Partners has seen rapid growth since it was acquired by Flight Centre Travel Group in August 2017, at which point it had 74 people in the network and a TTV of about $60 million.

The group saw its TTV boost to $111 million and its mobile members more than double to 200 by February 2019.

Cameron also provided an update on Travel Partners’ specialisation program, which was launched after last year’s conference and has been a key area of focus for the group since.

Currently offering specialisation in either business or luxury, the program gives agents

access to more niche product, marketing, branding, events, famils and tools.

“The biggest thing is that it allows them to be competitive but also offer the right product as well,” Cameron explained, adding that those with the business specialisation have access to corporate fares and corporate hotel programs.

She said it also helped the group retain agents and attract new ones, which already specialise in the areas and are looking to showcase their skills.

Cameron also hinted that following the successful rollout of the first two options, the group would look to explore other specialisations.

The network has also launched a program for its mobile members which Cameron describes as “the answer to insolvencies.

“If you book our preferred supplier partners, if that preferred supplier partner does go insolvent, we will cover the client’s money in those bookings.”

Cameron said the initiative covered cash payment as well as credit card.

Travel Partners would let its members know if a supplier was no longer covered under the scheme and provide a date from which they should stop selling that company.

After that date, if an agent continued to book with that supplier they would not be covered.

During the conference, the network also revealed a brand refresh, swapping out orange as Travel Partners’ main colour for red.

“The colour red creates a powerful and dynamic first impression and is associated with passion and triggering emotion,” Cameron said.

Above: Some Travel Partners members in front of the Bangkok skyline and inset: Travel Partners new logo

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ThE RIPPlE EFFECThOW lAnd And Air OpErATOrs hAvE bEEn AFFECTEd by ThE COrOnAvirUs

THE 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic has affected land and air operators severely, with the segment all but coming to a virtual standstill as tour

operators and airlines have been forced to cancel due to lack of demand, as well as border closures and issues of guest safety. Further developments have seen countries around the world enact travel bans for its citizens, including Australia and New Zealand.

Upon the outbreak’s identification in Wuhan, China, reacting first were organisations such as Chinese and Asian specialist Wendy Wu Tours, which moved quickly to alter operations in the region, and has since suspended all tours until mid-April, with guests receiving 100% credit. Asian carriers have also been hit hard, with Cathay Pacific cutting its flights schedule by 90% during the month of April, and Singapore Airlines operating just 50% of its initially scheduled capacity, also

until the end of April. Chinese carriers in particular have been devastated, with long-suffering Hainan Airlines effectively being forced into a takeover from a government taskforce. Other carriers in the region which have been hit include AirAsia, which has cancelled all flights from Clark International and Manila International airports in the Philippines; Jetstar Asia, which has suspended all services; All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, which between them have cancelled over 5,000 flights; and

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Thai operators Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, which have collectively cut or suspended almost 70 routes.

Not immune to the virus were local carriers, with both Qantas and Virgin Australia ceasing all international flights. The Qantas Group (including Jetstar) also took the step of reducing domestic capacity by 60%, while Virgin’s domestic flight reduction came in at 90%. Budget carriers Jetstar and Tigerair Australia were also hit, the former ceasing all international flights and the latter cutting all domestic services. The drastic reduction in services has also forced both national carriers to stand-down considerable parts of its workforce, with 8,000 Virgin Australia employees out of

work and the majority of Qantas staff also stood down.

Paul Scurrah, CEO and MD of Virgin Australia said, “there has never been a travel environment in Australia as restricted as the one we see today, and the extraordinary steps we've taken have been in response to the federal and state government's latest travel advice."

Aviation cuts are far from restricted to just Asia-Pacific though; Lufthansa announced a cut of its long-haul capacity by up to 90%, Air New Zealand’s LH network is reduced by 85%, VA sister airline Virgin Atlantic cut flights by 80%, and British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group cut capacity 75%. Even those hit more minimally were hit hard, as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced a cut of between 30 and 40 percent of flights, and Swiss International Air Lines confirming a drop 20% in its European flights.

As the outbreak spread across Asia, countries on the continent moved quickly to close borders, with South Korea tightening border checks from overseas arrivals from 17 March, and Malaysia shutting its borders to travellers completely, in addition to restricting internal movement.

However, the virus’ outbreak in Europe saw companies take more decisive action, with several tourers eventually cancelling all departures for certain periods of time.

The Globus Family of Brands suspended all travel through to the end of April, as did Bunnik Tours, G Adventures and Intrepid, while The Travel Corporation has suspended all trips in Europe, the Middle East and Asia until the end of April.

Many of those which have presently not enacted large-scale cancellations include Amtrak Vacations/Railbookers, with those who make a new booking through to 30 April able to change dates or cancel their holiday up to five days before departure without incurring any fees. Luxury Escapes is also temporarily allowing international travellers to change their dates free of charge up until the day before they travel.

Airlines and tourers who had not partially or completely shut operations

were likely forced to with the arrival of the 11 March declaration of coronavirus as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, which saw countries across the globe swiftly close borders.

Australia took the step on 19 March, closing its borders to all visitors, except for citizens & permanent residents, as well as their close family members. Among others unquestionably closed to tourists include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Sudan, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Many of these countries took additional measures, such as cancelling flights to Europe and the United States; and imposing quarantine periods on those returning. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also preventing departures, while Ecuador took the incredible step of closing its borders even to citizens and residents, for 21 days.

At the time of writing, other countries have thus far only partially closed their borders, including Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Guyana, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uruguay and Yemen.

All these countries have taken different measures, such as suspending travel just with Europe, restricting land border crossings, suspending all international flights, closing airports and withdrawing on-arrival visas.

Even those which seem like the simplest measures, such as banning entry to those from countries with confirmed cases, have been enacted in essentially every country on the planet, confirming that no-one has gone untouched by coronavirus.

Travel is a resilient industry, and Australians particularly have seemed to have an insatiable appetite for exploring the world. Everyone in the industry is looking forward to the days when that demand returns.

“There has never been a travel environment in Australia as restricted as the one we see today

”paul scurrah, CEO and Md, virgin Australia


Flight shaming

Cover


Flight shaming AviAtion And the environment


Airlines are reeling from the global spread of coronavirus. Many will be sent to the brink. Yet even when the industry emerges from the current crisis – whenever that may be – another threat is looming. steve Jones reports on the rising issue of flight shaming.

T WAS a bold step for an airline to take, a move that flew in the face of logic and all business convention.

But there the message was, and a crystal clear one at that. “Could you take the train instead?” KLM told its passengers.

There was more. “Do you always have to meet face to face?” business travellers were asked. “We all have to fly every now and again. But next time, think about flying responsibly.”

Here was an airline, the Dutch flag carrier, encouraging prospective customers to eschew air travel in favour of the train, and advising them to replace physical meetings with video calls. Not exactly the rule-book approach to marketing.

Yet if KLM’s ethical approach was one-of-an-aviation kind, the core message – to reconsider flying – was already rapidly spreading from an altogether different, and less sympathetic source. In the months before KLM’s campaign launch, an anti-flying social movement had been growing which sought to create a stigma around flying and the damage it inflicts on the environment.

The aim was a simple one: to keep more feet on the ground by suggesting

air travellers should be embarrassed, or ashamed, of their choice to fly.

Given the emergence of green-teen warrior Greta Thunberg, it’s perhaps unsurprising the flight shaming movement originated in her

home country of Sweden.The term flygskam, to give the

native term for flight shaming, has since extended

across Europe, and to a lesser extent, global markets.

So what has been the impact?

While Swedish airport operator Swedavia cited flight shaming as a factor in a 4% decline in traffic across 10 airports last year, assessing the tangible impact elsewhere is far harder to gauge. It’s also an issue that has been overshadowed in recent months by the more immediate and pressing coronavirus crisis which is hammering the industry.

Nevertheless, what is clear is that flygskam has sparked widespread conversation and debate concerning our travel habits. It will continue to do so for years to come.

Many airline executives have been forced to address the issue, with a variety of reactions, ranging from claims of “fake news” from Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr to Air France suggestions it could be the industry's “biggest challenge” – an observation clearly made prior to recent events.

Most, however, have taken the middle ground, mindful of the need to reject the “shame” association with flying while anxious not to dismiss the environmental message behind the movement.

One aviation observer told travelBulletin: “Failing to recognise and appreciate the seriousness of the situation would be folly for the aviation industry, particularly in a

sector regarded, unfairly, as the nemesis of the environment. Airlines, along with IATA, need to articulate the positive actions they are taking to address carbon emissions. That’s what they’re trying to do, rather than dismissing flygskam out of hand.”

Nevertheless, there is little doubt that aviation feels unfairly picked on by environmentalists who, it believes, ignore efforts being made by the industry.

Aviation is responsible for a little over 2% of global carbon emissions. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), if aviation was a country that figure would put it among the top 10 emitters in the world. However, using the same country analogy, the Air Transport Action Group stressed the importance of the sector by calculating that aviation would rank as 20th largest nation in terms of generated GDP.

“Failing to recognise and appreciate the seriousness of the situation would be folly for the aviation industry, particularly in a sector regarded, unfairly, as the nemesis of the environment

”

Cover


Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said on LinkedIn he was “proud” of the airline’s response to the climate crisis, but appeared to express frustration it was not being recognised.

“Airlines globally are aiming to halve CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels,” he wrote. “From 2021 we’ll have carbon neutral growth on international flights – the first in the industry to make this happen. Despite this there are campaigns in some parts of Europe to shame people into not taking flights. And various governments are considering new surcharges on airfares, similar to 'sin' taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. These are retrograde steps.”

Joyce went on to warn of the impact such steps would have on the global economy, trade, jobs, tourism and on isolated destinations, Australia included.

“The focus should be on how we reduce the impact of flying, not simply to stop doing it,” he added. “Airlines are taking action on climate change, but we need to do a better job of telling people that.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) told travelBulletin it was “too early” to assess if flight shaming will impact demand but conceded aviation “must be seen to be taking action to reduce its emissions”. Furthermore, only by educating the public about aviation’s past and future work to reduce emissions “can people make an informed choice about their travel options”.

“The industry’s license to grow depends on acceptance from society that air travel is beneficial, so we must deliver on our carbon commitments, including reducing CO2 to half 2005 levels by 2050,” a spokesperson said. “We understand that many people have deep concerns about the environment and climate change [but] we don’t want anyone to feel ashamed to fly. Flying is the business of freedom. It brings families and friends together, creates trade and prosperity and enriches cultural understanding. A global

air transport network on a flightpath to sustainability is something people should be supporting, not ashamed of.”

Yet it’s not only airlines who will monitor the evolving flight shame movement and its potential impact on travel habits. Any change will inevitably have broad implications for the wider travel and tourism industry.

Intrepid Environment Impact Specialist Susanne Etti suggested the rising discussion will further prick the conscience of travellers, most of whom are already acutely aware of the planet’s precarious future.

“We predict that increasing numbers of people will fly less often and stay longer [in their destinations], she said. “They will also spend more time exploring their own country.

“Over time a lower carbon structure will need to be built into tourism products. Where possible we are converting flights to trains on the ground in destinations likes China that have the infrastructure and invested in long-distance, high-speed train travel.”

A similarly effective rail infrastructure weaves across Europe, providing a viable alternative to air travel, both for citizens and tourists.

Unsurprisingly, Rail Europe has used the rising environmental debate to promote the continent’s extensive – and greener – train network. The rail distributor claimed growth from Australia of 10% in 2019, although it acknowledged the reasons for the rise were varied.

“I feel the environmental factor is still bundled in with other benefits – ease of use, convenience, speed and price,” Blaze James, Asia Pacific Marketing, Partnerships and Communications Manager at Rail Europe said. “The environment is not necessarily the only driver. But we believe that flight shaming and general awareness of environmental topics definitely contributes to more travellers choosing trains over planes in Europe. With the increased transparency and more talk about how flying damages the environment,

it’s becoming a more prominent element.”Electing alternative transport to

zip between cities in Asia or Europe is one thing.

But over time, could

“A global air transport network on a flightpath to sustainability is something people should be supporting, not ashamed of

”iATA spokesperson


the rise of flight shaming dampen overseas travel from Australia altogether? Given our isolated location, and obvious lack of viable alternatives in leaving the country, it would seem highly unlikely, at least not to any meaningful degree.

Nevertheless, Etti, from Intrepid, suggested behaviour could change, with an increasing propensity to travel to shorter haul destinations as tourists scale back their long haul flying. But she stopped short of saying people will simply stop travelling.

“Australia is more limited in alternatives [to flying], so we have seen more interest in carbon offsetting rather than avoiding flights altogether,” she said.

Claudia Rossi, managing director of Mary Rossi Travel in Sydney, said Australians will, in all probability, continue travelling as normal, while remaining conscious of the environment.

That growing awareness manifests itself by clients requesting newer aircraft, which have more efficient fuel economy and lower emissions, Rossi said.

Others were more robust in their response to flight shaming. Virtuoso Asia Pacific MD Michael Londregan said it was too easy to criticise air travel, and highlighted the huge benefits of tourism.

“Tourism is the largest employer in the world, it’s hardwired to the sustainability of

the environment, possibly more than any other major industry,” he said. “And people who travel are unquestionably more global in their perspectives. We need this industry to grow and thrive. I say shame on those looking to take pot shots at those who are travelling.”

Yet Spencer Travel MD Penny Spencer cited a recent example of an Australian traveller who told her she will fly only once a year, and only in economy because of the need to reduce emissions.

However, despite direct experience of the issue, Spencer suspected the flight shaming

agenda was being pursued by “a very small category of people”.

“It’s easy to push in Sweden where you can get everywhere by train or car. It’s a bit more difficult in Australia where we are an island and have to fly to get anywhere outside of our own country,” she told travelBulletin.

Neither is the corporate sector discussing flight shame, Spencer added, although they are “talking about sustainability in choosing the right suppliers, airlines and hotels”.

Such a view was backed by other corporate agents. CWT said it had yet to experience any “significant reduction” in flight bookings, highlighting the “certain benefits” of face to face meetings that technology can’t replace. But the business agency added sustainability was “no doubt top of mind”.

“Clients are increasingly seeking our guidance on ways to reduce the environmental impact of their travel programs,” a spokesperson said, adding that “100%” of client request for proposals enquire about CWT’s responsible travel policies.

But not all companies seem overly concerned about their carbon footprint. A Green Travel Whitepaper released in late 2019 by American Express Global Business Travel found only 42% of survey respondents measured their carbon emissions from air travel. In addition, almost eight out of 10 admitted that reducing their carbon footprint

Rail travel is seen as a more environmentally-friendly way to travel and is possible to use in places like Europe and Asia with high-speed train networks ©Thalys

“it’s easy to push in sweden where you can get everywhere by train or car. it’s a bit more difficult in Australia where we are an island and have to fly to get anywhere outside of our own country

”penny spencer, Managing director, spencer Travel

Cover


and greenhouse gas emission was not addressed in their travel policy.

Despite strong growth in rail travel, James, from Rail Europe, said Australia may be a tougher nut to crack for the flygskam movement.

“But at least it’s making its way within domestic connections,” he said. “I’m still hoping to see more cruise shaming as, in my opinion, it hurts the environment and local communities even more.”

Many studies certainly point to cruising as another carbon emitting culprit. Cruise ships account for approximately 0.2% of all carbon dioxide emissions, significantly less than aviation, but spread across far fewer passengers. The ICCT estimate that even the most efficient liners emit three to four times more carbon dioxide per passenger-km than jet aircraft.

But while the shaming movement may be gaining traction in some markets, experts say a concerted and widespread attempt to guilt people into flying less could backfire.

According to environmental health specialist Tony Capon, a professor at Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute, large swathes of society may not take kindly to being lectured.

“There are risks with making people feel ashamed because potentially they will block the whole discussion on the environment,” he told travelBulletin. “But I think it will develop as a movement. We’re all having to grapple with these kind of dilemmas.

“In my mind, this movement is trying to get people to reflect, to pause to think and to make more conscious decisions.”

That could manifest itself by holidaymakers taking one annual four-week international trip rather than two shorter breaks. Aside from helping the environment, such extended breaks could be good for public health,

Capon said.While airlines insist they are taking action

to reduce emissions, Capon said more creative thinking was required. Domestically, that could involve airlines investing in a rail infrastructure – one that is worthy of the name – on the east coast, and from Perth to Melbourne.

“Our government should be looking at faster trains on the east coast, which should have been done years ago. And there is no reason why Qantas and Virgin Australia could not be part of that process,”

“There are risks with making people feel ashamed because potentially they will block the whole discussion on the environment

”Tony Capon, Monash University’s sustainable development

institute

“Our government should be looking at faster trains on the east coast...and there is no reason why Qantas and virgin Australia could not be part of that process

”Tony Capon, Monash University’s sustainable development

institute

Capon suggested. “Rather than holding on to the past,

they could step back and be part of more sustainable future. Why not be part of the solution? Ultimately there could be Qantas Trains operating between Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.”

Fanciful thinking? Maybe not. Along with urging passengers to ‘fly responsibly’, KLM is replacing one its five daily flights between Amsterdam Schiphol and Brussels with a high speed Thalys train.

It may be a small step, but it’s the type of alternative thinking that may be required.

“When we started 100 years ago our major concern was safety,” KLM chief executive Pieter Elbers said. “Little did we know about the impact we would have on the environment. Today, we know aviation comes with another big responsibility – to make sure our children have a planet to explore.”

An American Express Global Business Travel whitepaper found only 42% of survey respondents measured their carbon emissions from air travel, suggesting that flight shaming is yet to have a huge impact on corporate travel.


By Melissa schembri

AS MANY of us are now home-based, it is time to work on your resume and online branding to get ready for the revival of our industry. Here are a few tips to

assist in getting your resume to stand out:

1 Ensure your resume has key contact information: Include your name, address, phone number, LinkedIn

profile link and email address. Address is one piece of information that some people feel isn’t relevant however future employers what to know what the journey to work may be for you.

2 Length of your resume: I would suggest maximum three pages. I love seeing resumes that have a career summary

table on the front page that gives an overview of the person’s career.

3 Don’t get too fancy: You may want to add lots of creativity, however the simple designs are generally easier to

read. Most importantly, lots of businesses are now using an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) which will look for certain keywords on your resume to assess suitability for positions. Having text boxes, images or hyperlinks may prevent your resume in scoring high in suitability for a position, even if you would be a great candidate.

4 Avoid Photos: No matter what role you do in the travel industry please avoid using a photo.

5 Show Achievements: Have you achieved a place on a supplier incentive famil, attended an industry

conference or part of a program such as TIME? Include this as it will give you edge over someone else that also may be interviewing.

10 TIPS TO SPIFF UP yOUR RESUMEmarketing tools and finance system.

9 Try and use these power words when writing a resume: created, influenced, achieved, improved, launched,

increased/decreased, and negotiated. They will stand out to whoever is reading your resume and are great to explain clearly some of your particular skills and assets

10 Make sure you avoid words that we see over and over again: go-getter, dynamic, team player,

hard worker, go to person, detail-orientated and so on. They are overused and don’t really say anything specific about you.

“lots of businesses are now using an ATs (Applicant Tracking system) which will look for certain keywords on your resume to assess suitability for positions

”

6 Show your career in chronological order and have all your jobs on your resume. Even if they aren’t relevant or are 30

years ago, you need to add them on them and fill the gaps in your timeline.

7 Re-read and proof read! Typos are so common. We completed some research last year and found that one in three

resumes has a spelling or grammar errors. It is so obvious, but shows lack of attention to detail if you can’t get the resume right.

8 Add in any technical skills you have – hiring managers want to know what GDS you have used, mid-office system,

Melissa Schembri is the Director of C&M Travel Recruitment. She joined the travel industry while still at school and started her career working Saturdays in her local travel agency. After working in retail and wholesale travel she decided to head to the UK for a big working holiday. Contracting to various travel companies in the UK, she accidently landed working for C&M in between two contract roles and hasn’t left recruitment since. She loves watching people blossom in the travel industry and career coaching is a large part of her role.

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ThE diAMOnd in ThE rOUgh DESPITE enduring weeks in lockdown on board Diamond Princess, home-based agent for Your Travel Centre, Kareem Abdelmaksoud, said he would have no qualms about going on another sailing in the future – only his preference might be a river cruise next time.

The Canberra-based travel advisor found himself at the centre of the media’s gaze when the vessel was quarantined by the Japanese Ministry of Health in early February, after a passenger aboard tested positive for COVID-19, a dilemma which presented he and his wife with a host of professional and personal challenges.

“Usually I take my laptop with me when I go travelling, however as this was only going to be a two-week trip I did not bring it with me and this limited my capacity to be able to finalise bookings and invoicing as I didn’t have all of the relevant software on my iPhone or tablet,” he said.

Outside of the obvious work limitations, Abdelmaksoud also noted the reality of being restricted to a confined space wasn’t initially easy to come to terms with.

“It is difficult to prepare for a circumstance where you are confined to a cabin for two weeks, for the first five days we were not able to leave our cabins and then we got one hour a day and towards the end including up to two hours access to outside decks.

“Luckily we had a larger cabin so we could do activities at a table and had room to pace or exercise a little”.

In order to soften the blow for its guests, Princess Cruises provided its affected

passengers with unprecedented internet bandwidth on board during the crisis, an ad hoc policy that Abdelmaksoud believed proved “vital” in facilitating steady contact with his family, friends and customers, despite some download limitations.

However, the biggest personal obstacle for Abdelmaksoud was not knowing how at risk he was of contracting the virus.

“Being confined was frustrating and my wife and I discussed what we would do if either one of us were diagnosed with the virus.

“Getting information from the media prior to being informed by the cruise ship was also difficult at times,” he lamented, however, the overall impression of the way Princess

Cruises’ crew handled the challenging situation was a very positive one.

“The staff were quite exceptional in very difficult circumstances, after the initial chaos

of the first few days when we were not sure when and what food was being delivered it settled into a more regular pattern.

“In the last week in particular we got lots of treats delivered to our rooms, on Valentine’s Day, which my wife and I do not usually celebrate, we got a single red rose, lots of chocolates and lollies, face masks and other treats.

“There were even hearts on the dessert, each night following that there was a small surprise each evening…staff tried to be as helpful as they could, there were additional movies uploaded and exercise videos on screen within our room and we got games such as cards and Scrabble delivered to our room.”

Despite the taxing situation, the stoic agent said he learned a lot from the experience, advising agents and travellers to make sure they take their laptop on cruises if they rely on it, check the fine print in the travel insurance policies, and have contact details for embassies and airlines.

The silver lining to being stuck in quarantine on a cruise ship during a health crisis?

Abdelmaksoud said it was learning more about viruses and how to stay calm in the face of adversity.

“I learned lots about protecting yourself from the transmission of viruses and I realised how critical the internet can be for keeping in contact,” he said.

“As a couple we have been able to support each other through anxious times and keep our sense of humour”.

“it is difficult to prepare for a circumstance where you are confined to a cabin for two weeks, for the first five days we were not able to leave our cabins and then we got one hour a day and towards the end...up to two hours

”

Kareem Abdelmaksoud and his wife in quarantine onboard Diamond Princess

Kareem Abdelmaksoud

Cruise

THERE were many faces of the evolving saga that became the story of Australians stranded at sea on cruise ships in the face of increasing port closures around the world.

One ship dealing with her own crisis was Ponant’s 264-passnger L’Austral, which was left in the lurch when attempting to dock in South America after conducting an expedition cruise in Antarctica.

Keeping travelBulletin in the loop was Cruise Express Australia Director Hardy Schneider, who found himself on board the neglected vessel along with a stoic group of passengers, which included more than 100 Aussies, all of whom tried valiantly to keep their spirits up and smile through what was no doubt a fairly tense situation.

“We were denied to the option of disembarking in Montevideo, and Buenos Aires shut the door on us one hour before we got there,” Schneider told travelBulletin during the stressful rigmarole.

“We are now sailing to Rio just to pick up

I gO TO RIO…EVENTUAlly

urgent medical supplies, from there we are heading to homeport in France…the journey will take approximately 25 days,” he added.

During the elongated journey, one that Schneider described as a “waiting game”, passengers looked on the bright side and enjoyed all of the amazing facilities on board L’Austral, as well as conceding that at the

very least they had avoided the anarchy which had plagued much of the world since they embarked.

The ship eventually arrived safely in Rio de Janeiro and all guests were allowed to disembark, saving them from sailing all the way back to France. The passengers have now flown safely home.

The stoic passengers were still smiling through it all.

DISCOVER AN UNTAMED WILDERNESS

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GO AHEAD ROCK THE BOAT

Cruisers can be choosersWho says you can’t rise when you like, dine when you want, and explore as you wish? On an Avalon cruise, schedules give way to whims, leaving our guests the freedom to do exactly as they please,

when they please.

avalonwaterways.com.au | 1300 706 986

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PEDAl, PAINT OR PONDER EUROPE yOUR wAyExperience Europe’s Low Lands in your own way, with Avalon Waterways’ option-packed Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium itinerary.

AVALON Waterways’ Active & Discovery cruises have grown more and more popular each season and 2021 will see a new itinerary introduced on the waterways of Holland & Belgium, meaning there is one of these cruises on each of the main rivers of Europe.

The company is seeing the average age

of its passengers drop, become more active and health concious so the company is making sure this is reflected in its product range and excursion options, offering more active and engaging choices. As well as the company’s Active & Discovery cruises, there is an adventure host on every European river cruise sailing, who hosts yoga on board, can recommend walking and cycling trails at every stop, hires out bicycles and accompanies the group on Active excursions.

On the eight-day Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium itinerary, travellers can choose to embrace the history of the

Netherlands and Belgium, discover the region’s culture, art and innovation, or get active with guided walks and cycles – why not mix it up and try a little bit of everything?

The eight-day cruise gives guests an opportunity to take in the Dutch trading port of Middelburg, before sailing on to the Belgian cities of Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp, and back to Dutch waters stopping at Rotterdam and finally returning to Amsterdam. Here’s a little sample of what a passenger’s experience might be like, depending on what choices they make each day.

Action-packed experiencesWith every day offering a new adventure, guests who feel energetic can take a guided walk through the woods and dunes along Middelburg’s North Sea, taking in Castle Westhove and the region’s farmlands.

In Ghent passengers can explore the outskirts of the city and lesser-known sights with a guided mountain bike tour, while Brussels and Antwerp will provide cycling fanatics with the opportunity to experience the history and culture of the cities.

An architectural bike tour will be on offer to guests when the cruise docks in Rotterdam, taking in the city’s Cube Houses, Market Hall, the spectacular Erasmus Bridge, historic buildings and hypermodern skyscrapers.

On the penultimate day of the voyage, there will be an opportunity to join a cycling tour through the countryside past polders, dykes and villages steeped in history.

Interactive discoveriesFOR inquisitive minds embarking on a voyage of discovery, this itinerary offers a host of options to broaden their experiences.

Starting with a choice between a tour of the world’s largest flood-protection system, and the technology behind it, at the Delta Works, or a visit to a family-owned oyster farm where the guests can sample the oysters and lobster, accompanied by a glass of wine.

A guided tour of Graffiti Street in Ghent, where artists have free-reign to spray murals, will provide passengers with the chance to make their own mark on the city, before travelling to the Belgian capital to discover the art of chocolate-making and indulging in a cup of the world’s finest hot-chocolate.

Once docked in Antwerp, guests will be able to follow in the footsteps of emigrants on a guided tour of the Red Star Line Museum, learning about the cruise line’s passengers and accompanying them on their journey to the new world.

Travelling on to Rotterdam guests can choose to be guided through the process of painting a Delft tile, by a professional painter, before getting the chance to discover their inner artist on canvas, in Amsterdam with a painting class, where they can learn the masters’ techniques.

Cruise

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GO AHEAD ROCK THE BOAT

Cruisers can be choosersWho says you can’t rise when you like, dine when you want, and explore as you wish? On an Avalon cruise, schedules give way to whims, leaving our guests the freedom to do exactly as they please,

when they please.

avalonwaterways.com.au | 1300 706 986

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Classic sightseeingTAKE in the traditional drawcards of each stop, starting with a walking tour along the canals of Middelburg, highlighting the city’s rich history as the heartbeat of trading with the Dutch East Indies.

Visiting Ghent, the Diamond of Flanders, guests seeking a classic option can join a guided tour showcasing the medieval Flemish wealth and artwork at St Bavo’s Cathedral, or take an excursion to explore the canals and cobbled streets and historic buildings of Bruges.

In Brussels passengers can take in the home of the European Union, and admire the city’s magnificent palaces and cathedrals while discovering local bars, cafes and shops.

Guests will be able to take in the Grote Markt in Antwerp, alongside Ruben’s stunning alter-piece painting at the Cathedral of Our Lady, before indulging in the city’s signature Belgian waffles and crepes.

In Rotterdam Avalon’s classic option will give passengers the opportunity to join a guided tour of the city featuring its unique architecture, before taking a canal cruise through the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on the penultimate day of the cruise.

Experience it allWHILE guests will be able to immerse themselves totally in the active, discovery or classic tour options, they can choose from the menu of activities for an experience that is as unique as them. With Avalon, freedom is included and rules are not.

For more information see avalonwaterways.com.au.This editorial was produced in collaboration with Avalon Waterways.




riding ThE WAvE in UnChArTEd WATErs

ONLY those living under a rock would be unaware of the truly catastrophic impact that COVID-19 has had on the global cruise sector.

The entire industry has ground to a halt, as cruise lines take proactive measures against a growing number of port closures, with most moving early to voluntarily suspend operations for at least a month as the world battles to contain the worst pandemic since the Spanish Flu in 1918.

The virus outbreak, and the subsequent travel shutdowns that followed, have hit every single corner of the travel industry with unprecedented ferocity, but it was the cruise industry that felt the sting first, with Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess becoming the poster child for how the virus could turn a wonderful holiday experience into an unadulterated nightmare.

The ship was forced into quarantine at the Port of Yokohama in Japan after 10 passengers on board initially tested positive to COVID-19. The weeks to come saw nothing short of a cascaded media frenzy, with reports on every new micro update broadcast by the hour, many factually inaccurate, resulting in a public relations nightmare for cruising of almost biblical proportions.

The aftermath ultimately saw more than 700 of the 3,711 passengers and crew on board Diamond Princess test positive for the virus.

Ironically, cruise ships have some of the most stringent hygiene and cleaning protocols of any travel vertical, with CLIA cruise members collaborating with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to implement comprehensive sanitation practices, that sees at least two unannounced inspections conducted in a calendar year.

It should also be noted that only a small percentage of cruise ships sailing internationally have been directly affected by the pandemic.

However despite these tough measures and encouraging statistics, COVID-19’s acute level of contagion and latent symptoms meant that inevitably it breached a small number cruise ships’ health and safety barriers, and coupled with the vessels’ intrinsic variable of close human-to-human proximity, it was always primed to bring about negative headlines in this time of unprecedented crisis.

So how have cruise lines reacted to the global emergency?

When it became clear that the unfolding travel restrictions were making most cruise schedules untenable and the worsening outbreak was placing the health and wellbeing of its guests at greater risk by the day, cruise lines from all over the world began to voluntarily suspend their operations – an almost inconceivable course of action only months ago.

In a statement regarding the widespread temporary withdrawal of cruising around the globe, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) lamented the decision as one that had to be made in the interests of safety, while also striking an optimistic tone for the future.

“While we acknowledge these suspensions have caused inconvenience and disappointment to many, cruise lines are working around the clock to

maintain a focus on the health and safety of passengers and crew,” the organisation said.

“This is an unprecedented situation and we are conscious not only of the impact upon guests, but also on the destinations that cruise lines visit and the many businesses that depend upon cruise tourism.

“Despite challenging times, we are confident our industry has the resilience to overcome this situation in the longer term.”

The next phase of the emergency plan

included steps to ensure the financial viability of the industry well after the pandemic eventually subsides.

This has seen an aggressive push by most cruise brands to shore up forward bookings, with many rolling out ultra-flexible cancellation policies in order to incentivise clients to rebook rather than ditch future cruise trips entirely.

Cancellation time frames have been a key element of this retention strategy, with the window for customers to reschedule or cancel bookings radically reduced in a bid to keep the pipeline of cash in the bank.

Viking has led the way in this area, giving clients up to 24 hours before a cruise departure to cancel or change bookings, while the large swathe of lines have elected to introduce cancellation times of between 48 hours and 30 days.

Further galvanising the booking pipeline has been the introduction of generous future cruise credits, with many major cruise lines not only matching the full price of the original voyage, but some even

“Cruise lines from all over the world began to voluntarily suspend their operations – an almost inconceivable course of action only months ago

”

Cruise


offering between 110% and 150% in credits above the original price.

P&O Cruises appears to be the market leader in this regard, recently announcing a 200% future cruise credit for customers who were affected by the lines’ cancellations in Australia and who rescheduled cruises rather than cancelled them altogether.

A small number of cruise lines have even stepped in to protect agent commissions in specific circumstances, typically when bookings were paid for in full and a future cruise credit was issued to the client.

While we can only hope that these measures aid the cruise industry’s speedy recovery once the travel restrictions are finally lifted, the reality is the wounds that cruising has sustained throughout this rare crisis have been immense.

The stigma of being the most highly publicised flashpoint in a once-in-a-hundred-year health emergency have provided images that are not likely to fade from people’s minds instantly, but much like the act of cruising itself, the sector will no doubt chart a stoic path through these uncharted waters, embodying the strongest spirit of resilience possible towards much smoother waters ahead.


THE past few months have undoubtedly been some of the most challenging our industry has faced, and the demands upon the cruise community have been intense. It’s clear we will all be working in difficult circumstances in the days ahead, but the cruise sector is already turning its attention to the future and uniting with the wider travel industry as it does so.

The suspension of cruise operations both within our region and across the globe presented enormous logistical challenges and caused great disruption to travellers. We’re conscious of the impact this had on the travel agent community, and cruise lines are grateful for the support and dedication agents have shown towards their customers.

The logistical demands in bringing ships back to port were huge, and the cruise lines achieved an incredible task in returning dozens of ships and tens of thousands of passengers to Australian shores. Despite the inconvenience this caused, it’s a sign of the lengths cruise lines go to in their efforts to keep the focus on the health and safety of passengers and crew.

Behind the scenes, CLIA and cruise lines have been working around the clock to solve problems, take swift action and enforce the important measures we adopted in response to COVID-19. We’ve been in constant

contact with health authorities in Australia and internationally to ensure we have the most appropriate measures in place, and we’ve been liaising closely with the Australian Government to make sure the needs of our guests and our industry are accommodated.

There have been many questions about how the industry will move forward and what action will be taken next. Though there are still a lot of unknowns, the industry is already looking ahead.

In recent days CLIA has united with other industry organisations like the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) and the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) to back their messages to government about the support Australia’s travel and tourism industry needs.

We have also united with our colleagues internationally to develop a strategic approach to our messaging as we rebuild. Our key priorities will include backing the full spectrum of businesses that make up the cruise community, including the travel agents, tourism operators and suppliers we depend upon.

Cruising supports more than 18,000 jobs across Australia and will be an important part of our economic revival as the world emerges from this outbreak. However difficult the journey, we’re a resilient industry and will maintain our focus on the path ahead.

ClIA VIEwJoel Katz, Managing director CliA Australasia

INDUSTRy TURNS TO ThE FUTURE

Daring pax swap

DESPERATE times calls for desperate measures, and that’s exactly what Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) enacted last month when they undertook an astute passenger swap operation off the coast of Thailand.

173 passengers were transferred from Columbus to Vasco da Gama, while 63 guests were exchanged from the other way, with the aim to shorten the amount of time the line’s guests would need to take to get home safely during the COVID-19 crisis.

Australian and New Zealand passengers boarded Vasco da Gama so that they could sail for Fremantle, WA.

ClIA improves educationCRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia is gearing up to launch a new generation online platform this month, which will see all its education and member services hosted in one location.

The new CLIA Member Hub will arm travel agents with a host of improved features to sell cruise including dedicated areas for individual cruise lines, BDM contact lists, webinars, brochures, news and promotions, and cruise line training modules.

“The new platform will be a fantastic asset for travel agents, delivering education in a more engaging and visual format,” said CLIA Head of International Training & Development Peter Kollar.

More common Pence?US VICE President Mike Pence flagged “significant changes” would need to be made in the practices of the cruise industry when it comes to battling health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic currently facing the sector.

Pence suggested enhanced measures would include improved screening protocols and shipboard testing to cope with disease prevention, as well as better ways to transport patients to land-based facilities.

The comments were made following an emergency meeting with CLIA Chair Adam Goldstein, who also conceded the sector would need to “develop a significantly enhanced plan” to better manage the entire cycle of cruise passengers when major disease outbreaks take hold.

heAdlines MArCh 2020

02 Mar Virtuoso developing cruise tech03 Mar APT and Scenic help with deferrals04 Mar Viking free 24-hr cancellation05 Mar McClelland takes Cruisewatch role06 Mar Breathing new spirit into Geelong09 Mar Cruise lines offer greater flexibility10 Mar DFAT caution over int’l cruising11 Mar Sapphire expands WA

12 Mar CLIA unveils new one-stop platform13 Mar Major lines cancel all sailings16 Mar Australia cancels cruise for 30 days17 Mar Cunard joins list of cancellations18 Mar Special arrangements for cruises19 Mar Hurtigruten suspends operations20 Mar CMV passenger swap at sea23 Mar NSW Health tightens policies

Cruise

BUShFIRE hEROES gET ROyAl TREATMENTAFTER a summer spent battling blazes across Australia, thousands of the nation’s bushfire heroes were given the chance to escape with Royal Caribbean International.

The cruise line hosted three four-day ‘Thank You’ cruises for firefighters, first responders and their families, as a way of acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice so many made to protect lives and homes.

Royal Caribbean International worked with state-based volunteer agencies to directly notify and encourage eligible volunteers to register for the complimentary cruises aboard

Spectrum of the Seas.The first sailing departed from Sydney’s

International Passenger Terminal on 29 February, taking 3,500 first responders and their families through the harbour heads and into the Pacific Ocean, along a coastal route.

A second cruise took place between 7 and 11 March, following same itinerary as the inaugural sailing, and with more than 12,000 registrations submitted, Royal Caribbean added a third voyage from 13 to 17 March.

Royal Caribbean International Australia and

New Zealand Managing Director Gavin Smith, said the company had been “blown away by the first responder community’s response” to the offer.

“This was an opportunity for us to just say a little ‘Thank you’, to some of Australia’s greatest first responders, working with more than 200 volunteer organisations around the country just to recognise the work that they’ve done over the Christmas, New Year break, and all the sacrifices they made to create what is this great country of ours,” he said.

cruise with confidenceWe have enhanced the temporary policy updates that we made on March 6 as part of our Cruise with Confidence program, offering guests peace of mind when booking their upcoming cruise or cruisetour holiday during the evolving situation with the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

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GivinG BACk while ABroAd

giving back while travelling can make for a more meaningful and memorable travel experience, with many travellers looking to enrich the lives of those living in local communities that they visit, far beyond simply leaving a generous trip. Jasmine Hanna has put together five trips which have harnessed the power of tourism to help to improve the standard of living and opportunities of the communities that they visit.

g ADVENTURES – SEVEN-DAy lOCAl lIVINg ECUADOR – AMAzON JUNglE

A PERSONAL favourite of G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip, the seven-day Local Living Ecuador – Amazon Jungle, ventures into the Amazon rainforest. The trip originates from the very first tour the company ran in 1990 and is still operated with the same community today. Travellers spend four nights in a homestay with an a local Quichua family in their small village in the Amazon. During their time in the village, travellers take walks with the locals, who show them their way of life and teach them about medicines of the rainforest, and spiritual ceremonies. G Adventures has been bringing groups to the community every month for over 30 years, which Poon Tip said has transformed and culturally preserved the community, allowing them to live their traditional life in the Amazon. Today, 11 different G Adventures tours in Ecuador visit the Quichua village. Using the money from tourism, the community has been able to fight off drilling by miners and won a battle in court against a government mandate that children learn Spanish as their first language, which would have meant giving up their native tongues.

CoMMunity


AAT kINgS – BUShFIRE RECOVERy gIVEBACk ExPERIENCE: #EMPTyESky TO ShOAlhAVENTHIS season’s Australian bushfires saw many regional tourism businesses devastated and emptied of tourists during peak season. In response, AAT Kings moved quickly to launch not-for-profit bushfire relief experiences to provide support directly to tourism communities. The experiences were designed in collaboration with the local community to inject funds into local businesses and support farmers. The #EmptyEsky to Shoalhaven ex-Sydney day trip’s first stop is Kangaroo Valley, for morning tea at a local café or a spot of shopping for leather goods, antiques or artwork in the town’s stores. Next up is the Nowra Farmers Market, where fresh and seasonal produce is sourced daily, with some items coming from the farm to shelves within 24 hours. Travellers are encouraged to bring along an esky to fill with produce and the many delicacies available from local farmers. Guests are then treated to a private lunch at Bangalay Dining, made from locally sourced and native ingredients, and hosted by the people who produced them. Over lunch, travellers have the chance to hear the stories of recovery of those who were affected by the bushfires, before heading back to Sydney.

ABERCROMBIE & kENT – 11-DAy wIlDlIFE OF kENyA & UgANDA

ABERCROMBIE & Kent’s 11-day Wildlife of Kenya & Uganda visits the Bwindi community, where the operator’s philanthropic arm, A&K Philanthropy (AKP), has a number of projects. During the private journey, travellers can choose to visit the Bwindi Community Hospital & Nursing School near Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, where AKP sponsors Nursing School Scholarships for students. The school was built with the support of A&K guests and provides health care to communities living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, among the poorest people in the world. It is training a new generation of nurses to work in rural clinics addressing the health needs in these communities. There is also the option to take a tour of the Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise, which employs six local women. This village bike shop and tour enterprise provides these women with the opportunity to earn an income while also giving

their community vital access to transportation. The women are directly involved in the repair, assembly, and sale of bikes around the area. With AKP support, the bike shop receives restock shipments on a regular basis. Travellers can also visit the Ebenezer Primary School, which AKP provided support for to build the classrooms and administrative building, as well as for resources for the students’ education. Guests can further get involved in these projects by donating to AKP, and are able to direct to which program they would like the donation to support. This itinerary also takes travellers to the Laikipia Plateau region, where they can search for lions and elephants on safari, and to the Masai Mara, for a stay in a vintage safari camp. Bwindi is also known for its population of the endangered mountain gorilla and guests spend two days trekking through the forest to locate one of the habituated gorilla families.

CoMMunity


CROOkED COMPASS – 11-DAy REMARkABlE RwANDAREMARKABLE Rwanda is designed to showcase a women-led transformation in an emerging destination and in the process, provide an economic benefit to local businesses and their communities. The tour takes travellers and immerses them into the daily lives of Rwanda's women, who are at the forefront of the country's re-emergence, with the male population decimated by the genocide. Along with visiting the destination’s renowned mountain gorillas, travellers connect with the small entrepreneurial businesses led by women that are transforming the country. By including this particular focus in the tour, Crooked Compass travellers make a commercial connection with these people and their businesses, providing them with an immediate economic benefit. Travellers on this itinerary also spend time in a village that was previously home to a gorilla poaching enterprise which through education and an appreciation of the long-term benefits of sustainable “gorilla tourism”, is now a leader in this space. The trip is designed to see travellers leave Rwanda with a greater understanding of its dark genocidal past, and an appreciation for the place the country has become as it has healed.

wORlD ExPEDITIONS – 14-DAy REBUIlD NEPAl – MANEDANDA SChOOl & ANNAPURNA

THE 14-day Rebuild Nepal – Manedanda School & Annapurna trek, departing 1 November 2020, is part of the Rebuild Nepal series, which World Expeditions has operated since the devastating earthquakes of April 2015. The series has seen the World Expeditions Foundation (WEF), with the assistance of travellers around the world and local tradespeople, rebuild classrooms in four remote mountain communities (to the value of AU$200,000). WEF funds the costs associated with the project and relies on volunteer labour of travellers to work alongside the paid local tradespeople. This itinerary sees travellers take part in a three-day community project working alongside locals to rebuild the kindergarten and school, and a six-day trek in the Annapurna region. No specific skills are required of the travellers, just a commitment to assist at the

worksite for six to eight hours over the course of three days. The project will see travellers help construct two rooms at

the Manedanda Primary School, a Thami community which is an indigenous highly marginalised community within Charikot. The extra rooms will be used for the school’s office and kitchen/store, with the extra space to allow for more hygienic food preparation and classrooms more conducive to learning.

Travellers will also have the chance to gain insights into the Nepali mountain culture by working collaboratively with the community and transferring skills. USD$500 has been included in the trip cost and will be directed to the cost of the project work, including the purchase of materials and the transportation of the materials to Lura, as well as the wages of a local trades person to oversee the project work.

CoMMunity

PIONEERS OF SUSTAINABLE LUXURY TRAVELLuxury Tailor-Made & Small Group Journeys | Luxury Expedition Cruises

Abercrombie & Kent invented the luxury tented photographic safari in the early 1960s, and has led the travel industry in a transformation toward greater equity and sustainability in the many decades since. In the 1970s, we established Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, dedicated to positively impacting lives and livelihoods in the extraordinary places our guests travel. From Africa to Asia, Latin America to the Antarctic, we now work with partner communities on more than 40 education, health care, conservation and enterprise development projects, ensuring host communities can play a meaningful role in protecting their own most valuable natural and human assets. Send your clients on an enriching journey with Abercrombie & Kent, delivering positive outcomes for communities and incredible travel experiences for guests.

Call Abercrombie & Kent on 1300 851 800.

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demonstrate real progress,” he said.“To put things in perspective, cruise ships

represent less than 2% of world tourism and less than 1% of the world’s commercial shipping fleet, but they are at the forefront of the maritime industry in developing new technologies that can be deployed not just among cruise lines but also in other areas of the maritime sector,” Katz added.

Late last year, CLIA underscored its commitment to lowering the cruise industry’s emissions by outlining some ambitious goals in its third annual Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, headlined by the target of achieving a 40% reduction in emissions by 2040.

“It’s a challenging goal, but the CLIA Cruise Lines fleet is working diligently to meet this aggressive target,” CLIA Global Chairman Adam Goldstein noted in the report.

“While we are encouraged by and proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there is still work to be done,” he added.

So, what does the path for carbon emissions reduction for cruising look like?

For CLIA, the strategy is very much a four-pronged approach and involves making sure that cruise ships of the future are far more sustainable than what they are today.

Key figures from the report show that there are certainly some encouraging signs that this roadmap is taking shape.

The 2019 figures found that 44% of new-build capacity will rely on LNG fuel for primary propulsion rather than straight fossil fuel, a significant 60% increase on overall capacity compared with 2018.

The report also showed that more than 68% of global capacity are using Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), a 17% bump on the previous year, with the devices used to allow ships to meet or exceed their emissions targets.

Open-loop EGCS devices utilise seawater to scrub the exhaust and the resultant washwater is then often mixed with fresh seawater before being discharged into the sea.

Ocean cruise ships have arguably experienced the greatest level of environmental scrutiny when compared to other travel segments, but is this perception fair? Adam Bishop investigates.

hISTORICALLY viewed as floating fuel guzzlers, cruise lines operating ocean cruise vessels have, by and large, taken great strides to mitigate their carbon

footprint through a variety of measures, including the migration towards using cleaner LNG fuel, the implementation of advanced exhaust cleaning systems, and the use of shore-side power capability, to name just a few.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz is one man who views sustainability as a key element of the ocean cruise sector’s future trajectory, describing the ambition of becoming even more sustainable as “absolutely vital”, not only from a business and public relations point of view, but also, from a moral one.

“The successful tourism businesses of the future will be those that can show their efforts are meaningful and make a difference,” Katz contends.

“This has been the most important focus for the cruise industry over recent years and CLIA Cruise Lines have invested more than US$22 billion in ships with new energy-efficient technologies and cleaner fuels in response,” he added.

Katz also believes the optics of cruise ships being so large is another possible reason as to why ocean cruising receives a disproportionately higher level of scrutiny than other modes of travel.

“Cruise ships are highly visible by their nature, but that just underscores the importance of taking action and being able to

“For CliA, the strategy...involves making sure that cruise ships of the future are far more sustainable than what they are today

”

CLIA Cruise Lines now also have 68% of its fleet using advanced wastewater treatment systems, with all new ships on order specified to have these advanced treatments systems installed.

Shoreside power is another major weapon in the fight against carbon emissions, with cruise lines increasingly adopting technology for their ships, enabling vessels to switch engines off and be powered by a land-based supply when docks have the technology in place.

Despite these heartening numbers, Katz also points out that implementing sustainability objectives in the cruise industry goes far beyond carbon emissions alone, with issues such as over-tourism for example, a hot topic of discussion at Travel Daily’s Sustainability Summit last year.

“CLIA has been working closely with communities around the world to ensure the economic impact of tourism can be maximised and that the destinations we visit can benefit in the long-term from advances in areas like education, healthcare and economic development,” he said.

“We are also working with several key communities on measures to ensure sustainable visitation, such as in Dubrovnik in Croatia, where we’ve achieved a landmark agreement to manage tourism in a way that is responsible in the long-term”.

But these initiatives and objectives are not intended to be static, with Katz conceding there are always more ways to cultivate sustainability pathways and promote the good work the industry is doing to keep the marine environment as protected as possible.

“There’s always more than can be done to highlight what the industry is doing, that’s not just a PR function, it’s also an important part of raising awareness across the travel industry and making environmental considerations a big part of the culture in our organisations, big and small,” he said.

“The longer-term visions we have for emission reductions will rely on technological advances that are still in the pipeline, so the biggest challenge will be to support the research and development process that will unlock future breakthroughs.

“The advances being implemented now will naturally evolve and improve, but the maritime industry has gone one step further by proposing a US$5 billion research and development fund aimed at achieving commercially viable ships with zero carbon emissions by the early 2030s”.

oCeAns


How can we experience wildlife sustainably?

By Myles stedman

HE further we move into the 21st century, the clearer goals and ambitions for industry-wide sustainability become: take less flights,

use less in day-to-day operations, and always leave the destination in better shape than whence you found it.

But what does this last pillar of sustainability look like when the destination is of less importance than those that inhabit it? When we understand comparatively little about our animal counterparts who populate the places we visit, how do we really experience a destination sustainably, and if

the wildlife is the target of our fascination, how do we experience it responsibly?

Perhaps the reason this question seems so hard to answer is that we may be insecure about our current level of intrusion: experiencing a safari in Africa, viewing polar bears in the Arctic, and sailing around the Galapagos Islands are bucket list items for all, but what distance is too close for comfort? Education is the key to answering this, believes World Animal Protection National Director Australia & New Zealand Simone Clarke.

“When we talk to schools, corporate groups about elephants and riding them or washing them, they think it’s nice, but to get in the river with an elephant while it’s

“Education is key, so people know of their impact, they understand their impact…enjoy and experience animals in the wild wherever you can

”simone Clarke, national director Australia & new Zealand, World Animal protection

wildlife


shackled to the riverbed, it’s barbaric…it’s not malicious intent, it comes down to education,” she said.

“Consumer behaviour is something that’s slow to change, but we’re certainly seeing a move in the right direction, and education is key, so people know of their impact, they understand their impact…enjoy and experience animals in the wild wherever you can. The less contact with humans the better – observation is paramount, in the wild if you can”.

Neil Rodgers, Managing Director of Adventure World, which works closely with World Animal Protection, echoed Clarke’s words.

“I’ve seen the elephant back-riding firsthand; we take the teams out to see them, and even launching the new Scandinavia program, sometimes these people don’t know they’ll be served whale meat,” Rodgers lamented.

For a company whose wildlife experiences have been a main feature across its 40-year existence, Adventure World prides itself on going further than simply participating in an industrial culture of wildlife sustainability – they want to pioneer it.

“Sometimes they’ve not been popular or commercial decisions; we removed shark cages from Cape Town a few years ago, that was an immensely popular program.

“We have had to take those elements into hand, because people don’t know, and people have the greatest intentions…in Thailand, people won’t ride an elephant, but they’ll wash one, and they think that’s acceptable, but they don’t know that elephant gets washed 10-15 times a day.

“Where we come into play is, we pretty much guarantee that we’ve tried and tested this product, and it’s matched with World Animal Protection, and our animal protection policy.”

Clarke adds that in her experience, sometimes the hardest truths are those which may be most difficult to believe.

“For example, the Mahouts and the elephants…those trainers have the animals’ best interest at heart,” she said.

But this is not always the case.“[In a lot of places] there’s also an

economic dependence on wild animals by these venues because they derive an income getting them to perform for human entertainment.

“There is a duty of care you have…to make sure animals like dolphins are not bred in captivity, because once that happens, it is very rare, if not totally unlikely, that animal can be released into the wild.

“Secondly, it creates this ongoing dependence [for the venues],” added Clarke.

Supporting organisations who contribute positively to the destinations and wildlife which they visit is also key to Explore Worldwide’s sustainability initiatives – an outlook which has seen a 28% increase in bookings of its collection of 100 wildlife trips over the last 18 months.

Among the ideals Explore champions is a refusal to visit zoos, with all travellers treated to in-habitat encounters where possible, and where not, the company only visits rehabilitation centres.

“We care deeply about travelling in a way that positively affects travellers, community and the wildlife that we visit,” Explore Global Head of Sales Ben Ittensohn proclaimed.

“It’s about leaving a soft footprint, and we support a range of organisations to make sure we’re giving back to those places as well,” he said.

When it comes to unethical practices, Clarke says the emphasis is not on closing down venues but “it’s about looking at different practice,” and offering an alternative to current unethical practices.

“What about if you make a change to your operating model or your business model, and instead of selling rides, you let them chop up the fruit to give the trainer to give to the animals?”

Combating ignorance, supporting rubber-stamped conservation organisations, and educating travellers on what is and isn’t acceptable is the way forward in experiencing wildlife sustainable.

The standard we hold ourselves to at present is to admire the wonder of wildlife our world has in store, and leave it having contributed to future generations being able to do so also.

Failing that, it should seem as if we had never been there in the first place.

Despite being a very popular program, Adventure World no longer offers shark-diving activities, in line with its wildlife protection policies.

Mahouts do have the elephants best interests at heart, unlike many other

venues with economic dependence on animals for human enteratinment.

In the wild is always the best way to experience animals.

wildlife


Carbon credits are the new currency of sustainability but what actually are they and why are they important in contributing to sustainable practices? Janie Medbury investigates.

WHETHER it’s catching a flight overseas, or going for a quick drive down to the shops, we produce greenhouse gas emissions every day – especially those of us who love travel. And while, in some cases, we can take steps to

reduce these emissions, there are also ways in which companies and individuals can “offset” unavoidable carbon impact.

We can do this by financing emission reduction projects – a practice called "carbon offsetting". It works by developing a project that reduces carbon dioxide emissions, with every tonne of emissions reduced resulting in the creation of one carbon offset, or a carbon credit. An individual or business who purchases carbon credits is investing in emission reduction projects around the world.

Carbon credits are regulated financial products in Australia, known as Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (CFI Act 2011). One unit represents one tonne of actual, verified and additional carbon dioxide equivalent either avoided or removed from the atmosphere.

Emission reduction projects that produce ACCUs are overseen by the Clean Energy Regulator and need to comply

What really is a carbon credit?

CArBon eMissions


What really is a carbon credit?with methods managed by the Department of Environment and Energy which represent the “removal” of one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. A total of 13.7 million ACCUs were issued in 2018-19, up 12% from 12.2 million in 2017-18.

So far, carbon offsets have globally reduced the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by more than one billion tonnes – the equivalent of what would be produced by around 213,000,000 passenger vehicles over one year.

With leisure and corporate travellers becoming increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint, travel and tourism organisations are feeling the pressure to adopt sustainable practices, and they are turning to companies like South Pole to help them.

A globally leading climate action project developer, South Pole provides its clients with access to carbon credits from a huge portfolio of emissions reduction projects around the world.

These projects, which include renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste treatment, climate-smart agriculture or planting trees, benefit local communities as well as giving travel and tourism providers a way to support responsible climate change solutions.

“The carbon compensation component is vital – but the projects that generate these credits also have significant social and environmental benefits at the local level,” South Pole Commercial Director APAC, John Davis, told travelBulletin.

The Kariba Forest Protection project in Zimbabwe is one such project, which helps local communities prevent deforestation and build climate resilience through conservation farming. Since its launch in 2011, the project has protected nearly 785,000 hectares from

deforestation and land degradation, which has prevented more than 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere.

The knock-on effect within the community has been substantial, with 85,000 people enjoying improved health and economic opportunities, 60,250 people given access with safe, clean water through borehole maintenance, and 19 health clinics supported by the project, according to figures published by South Pole.

“In the past year alone, we’ve seen surging interest in climate action from the travel and tourism sector,” Davis revealed.

“While airlines in particular are looking at ways to decarbonise through alternative sustainable fuels, at present the only way to reduce emissions from flying (other than not flying) is with carbon credits”.

Qantas, for example, gives customers the option to offset their flight through its Fly Carbon Neutral Program by simply adding an extra charge to the cost of the flight, which

will go towards carbon offset projects. Other airlines have similar initiatives in place, including Virgin Australia, United Airlines, British Airlines, and many more.

“In part, this is driven by growing consumer awareness of the carbon footprint of travel, particularly flying – but we’re now also seeing a growing number of airlines announcing ambitious “carbon neutral” targets ahead of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation’s (CORSIA) implementation next year, which is the aviation industry’s approach to net-zero growth,” Davis explained.

South Pole believes that offsetting is already becoming the norm among travel and tourism companies, with “the really ambitious ones...looking at integrating sustainability into their core business” which it has dubbed as the “emergence of the sustainable travel company”.

“At South Pole, we’re responding to this growing trend by partnering with global and local organisations on new and novel climate change solutions for the travel industry,” said Davis. “Our Tourism4Impact fund with sustainable travel advisory group EarthCheck, for example, will work with companies and communities at the destination level to empower local communities and deliver climate action projects for the travel and tourism sector.”

Of course, like any regulated product, carbon credits adhere to a set of standards which can be verified with a third-party internationally recognised verification standard, such as the Gold Standard, Verra's Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Social Carbon and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS), or standards verified by the UNFCCC.

“The carbon compensation component is vital – but the projects that generate these credits also have significant social and environmental benefits at the local level

”John davis, Commercial director, south pole

CArBon eMissions


PUB QUIzIn these crazy times it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unfortunately we can no longer head to the pub for a drink and to let off some steam with friends. To stop you missing it so much, here’s a little pub quiz! grab a drink (because heaven knows we need it) and sit down to see if you can answer all these questions correctly.

1. What is the name of the Germany’s national airline carrier? 2. In which European city can you find the home of Anne Frank? 3. By surface area, what is Australia’s rank in the world? 4. How many stars has the American flag got? 5. How long is the Great Wall of China?6. In which country did the mojito originate from? 7. Who invented Ferrari? 8. What is the most deadly animal in Australia (based on the threat they pose and the likelihood of

encountering one)? 9. How many wives did Henry VIII have? 10. In which city was the Titanic built? 11. Which two months are named after Roman emperors? 12. In what year did Princess Diana die? 13. What is the most fractured human bone? 14. What is the most famous university of Paris?15. What is both a French wine region and a luxury American automobile? 16. Who was the second president of the United States? 17. In which hemisphere have the most dinosaur skeletons found? 18. Before Italy moved to using the Euro, what was the name of its currency? 19. What is the main component in glass? 20. What is the fastest land animal? 1. Lufthansa2. Amsterdam3. Sixth4. Fifty5. 6,259 km6. Cuba7. Enzo Ferrari8. Box jellyfish9. Six10. Belfast11. July and August12. 199713. Clavicle14. Sorbonne15. Cadillac16. John Adams17. Northern hemisphere18. Lira19. Sand20. Cheetah

A picture to remind you of better days

Funnies FlashbackWe love trawling through the Travel Daily Window seat archives. Here are some gems from 2001:

AN AIR New Zealand worker has been fired in unusual circumstances.

He asked a passenger to take a bottle of “traditional Samoan medicine” from NZ to a relative in the USA.

The package was harmless enough. The ‘crime’ was that he accessed private passenger records to find a traveller living near the relative.

He then phoned the person, a woman, and asked if she’d carry the item when she flew home.

Instead of simply agreeing or refusing,

she demanded to know how the man knew her personal residential details and then took the matter up with the airline.

Air NZ fired the employee back in Nov, but he’s just had an appeal turned down by an industrial relations tribunal.

NEW York’s Hotel Pennsylvania is housing around 1,000 dogs this week.

The property, which has a ‘no pets’ policy most of the year, is host hotel for one of America’s most prestigious dog shows, the Westminster Kennel Club

competition being staged across the street at Madison Square Garden.

Some 900 dog owners are allowed to check-in with their animals, creating a situation which the hotel’s housekeeping chief calls “very challenging”.

Stories about bizarre guest demands include a woman who insisted on a room with two double beds – one for her, the other for her dog.

Well it seems like today’s dog-loving craze was well and truly alive back in 2001 as well!

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