The Labour Spokesman Editorial
In March of last year we carried an article captioned “Stormy Seas Ahead: Confidence In The Cruise Industry Has Plummeted Due To COVID-19,” authored by Dr Jennifer Holland of The University of Suffolk in The UK. Therein the author pointed out that COVID-19 had changed how people think of cruise holidays, with even repeat cruisers feeling nervous about cruising. Along with other professionals, her findings were that the pandemic had been “catastrophic for the industry, with financial losses of US$50 billion, 1.17 million job losses, 18 cruise ships sold or scrapped and at least three cruise lines stopping trading.” Subsequent developments proved the researchers correct, that the pandemic had created great uncertainty leading to the sector being devastated.
Those warnings went out to governments worldwide, and it was expected that tourism and other governmental authorities would immediately begin planning and arranging for alternative means to sustain the forward momentum of their nations’ economic programmes. In our case little or nothing has been heard from our government about such concerns. Instead, there have been steadfast attempts to lull our people into complacency, with assurances that ‘the cruise ships will continue to come,’ and all will be well.
Earlier this week The Miami Herald carried a report concerning troubling developments in the cruise industry. In one particular instance a judge in South Florida issued an arrest warrant for the seizure and impoundment of a ship of a major line, whenever it arrived in The United States, as a consequence of unpaid fuel bills. Ships of that line have now taken to berthing in The Bahamas and ferrying passengers to a US port to avoid the judge’s order. Passengers on a sister ship were told mid-cruise that they would not be allowed into Aruba, but would instead go to The Bahamas to be ferried to Fort Lauderdale. One couple claimed they are now ‘out’ by some US$75,000.
These are all very bad signs for the tourism industry. Meanwhile right here at home the prices of consumer goods appear to be rising on an almost daily basis. The hucksters are complaining that big merchants are raising prices at levels that compel them to do the same. Our government appears to be indifferent to the cries of the people. We of the Labour Movement urge them to sit up, take notice, and begin acting before it is too late!