• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia Executive Director Joel Katz took part in the National Farmers' Federation Leaders Summit at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra this week, following the launch earlier this month of a new national campaign — the Australian Paddock to Port Alliance.
The Alliance highlights the businesses behind every cruise ship visit, from the produce loaded on board and the suppliers who deliver it, to the hotels, tour operators, transport providers, retailers and regional communities that benefit when cruise ships choose Australia.
That is why, Katz said, Australia must remain as an attractive place for international cruise lines to do business.
"We are asking for stable, practical and competitive settings so Australia can continue to attract cruise ships, passengers and investment," Katz said.
He said a large cruise ship can serve more than 20,000 meals a day, taking on fresh produce every seven to 10 days.
Steven Biviano, group GM of fruit and vegetable wholesaler Select Fresh Providores, with distribution centres across major capitals, supplies thousands of tonnes of produce to cruise ships and serves most of the major lines operating in Australia.
"Cruise has been an integral part of our growth strategy," Biviano, a regular at Australian Cruise Association conferences, said.
"A single voyage can involve supplying 4,000 apples, 1,500kg of potatoes or 1,000 bunches of bananas," he said.
"We have many producers who rely on cruise business — it gives them the volume they need through the year.
"It benefits not only the farmers and producers, but also the wider regional communities."
