Cruise Lines International Association managing director for Australasia Joel Katz said the industry was asking the Australian government to end its blanket ban on cruising and allow ships to resume"carefully managed"cruises next year.
Federal restrictions on cruise ship operations are to be reviewed on December 17.Chris Hyde
The proposal would allow for local cruises within state-based travel bubbles to cater to local markets.
"Australia’s relative success in stemming community transmission of COVID-19,together with the Australasian cruise industry’s robust strategy,creates an opportunity for a tightly managed and phased revival of the country’s $5 billion-a-year cruise industry,"Mr Katz said.
"This would initially involve restricted local cruises for local residents only,with limited passenger numbers,100 per cent testing of guests and crew,and extensive screening and sanitation in place."
National cruise restrictions are set to be reviewed on December 17.
The idea has now been discussed with health authorities in each Australian state. Tourism industry bodies have been briefed.
New Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he was aware cruise companies had outlined their proposal to his department.
"The Palaszczuk government will continue to act on the expert medical advice of the Chief Health Officer,"he said.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the Queensland government should examine the local cruising proposal with an"open mind".
"To have the ships that are effectively based here,and supplied here,is a real advantage and a tremendous asset for the economy generally,"he said.
"Cruise lines were obviously caught up in the frontline of the disaster earlier this year,but I am sure they are going out of their way to rectify what issues may have existed and providing the certainty in the health environment that is necessary,not only to the authorities,but for consumers."
Queensland earned $832 million from cruise ship passengers in 2019-20,according to the Australian Cruise Association.
In September,cruise companies suggested Queensland
However,that was subsequently.
The cruise ship industry is bound by federal government restrictions on international cruising.
In a survey of 42 ports around Australia in 2019-20,the ACA found domestic passengers spent $436 each per day during a cruise.
Cruise industry impacts on state coffers in 2019-20
Source:Australian Cruise Association,December 2020.
ACA chief executive Jill Abel said there were economic benefits a tightly-controlled cruise industry could bring to Queensland and Australia more generally.
"More than 2.9 million passenger visit days were recorded to 42 different ports around Australia in 2019-20,bringing economic benefit to some of the furthest regions of the country,"Ms Abel said.
"Passenger spending in destinations around Australia alone totals more than $1.1 billion,while cruise lines spend more than $1 billion in Australia over a year.
"Thousands of Australian businesses are supported by this spending in destinations around the country.
"Many of them are under threat while operations are suspended."