Activists to launch Global Cruise Activist Network Calling For Cruise Industry Changes
On Wednesday, September 2, a group of activists from port communities worldwide — as well as those who represent the concerns of cruise victims and labor groups like cruise workers — will launch the Global Cruise Activist Network, demanding the cruise industry doesn’t return to business as usual as cruise ships start sailing again after the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a virtual press conference on Wednesday, September 2, port communities from around the world will talk about the ways the cruise industry impacts their communities and how they want cruise companies to change.
September 2 virtual press conference will feature community members from around the world demanding no return to business as usual after COVID-19
WHO: Activists from port communities worldwide as well as those who represent the concerns of cruise victims and labor groups like cruise workers who are announcing the launch of the Global Cruise Activist Network. Locations include:
- Key West, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- New York City
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Juneau, Alaska
- Vancouver & Victoria, British Columbia
- Venice, Italy
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Bergen, Norway
- Southampton, UK
- Gold Coast & Sydney, Australia
- The Bahamas
- The Cayman Islands
- Belize City, Belize
- In addition, there will be a speaker who was on board during the Costa Concordia sinking in 2012 who helps coordinate a group supporting cruise victims, and a former cruise employee who helps coordinate a labor rights group supporting crew members still stranded at sea.
Inspired by the 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism, the Future of Tourism Coalition’s Guiding Principles, and the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, cruise communities are coming together to urge worldwide commitment to and the implementation of the “Principles of Responsible Tourism.”
The Global Cruise Activist Network calls on cruise companies to delay their return to operations until they address these principles. The network is calling for an equitable and responsible system of leisure travel that optimizes economic benefits to all stakeholders, while eliminating the negative social, public health, and environmental impacts of cruising on port communities.
