Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is asking travel advisors to call on their Congressional representatives to help the cruise industry through the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Charles Sylvia, CLIA's vice president of membership and trade relations, tells Luxury Travel Advisor that the organization’s call-to-action has gone out to approximately 43,000 travel advisors.
“We're not limiting the CTA (call to action) to only those currently enrolled as CLIA members,” Sylvia says. “We are calling on all travel advisors in the U.S. to reach out to their Congresspeople.”
The call-to-action from CLIA is as follows:
“This is an unprecedented time for the cruise industry. As we face increasing challenges, it is important for lawmakers and other decisionmakers to know that cruise lines support a diverse and wide-ranging number of small and medium-size businesses, including travel agents in the CLIA community like you. Your voice and your stories are vitally important to be heard, especially now.
“We need your support to contact the state and district offices for your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to urge them to call the White House and express support for the cruise industry’s comprehensive effort to keep ships safe.
“And when you speak with your Members of Congress, here are four topline messages t deliver:
- As my Member of Congress, please let the White House know that you support the cruise industry’s comprehensive effort to keep ships safe.
- The cruise industry is a vital artery for the U.S. economy, supporting over 421,000 American jobs, including mine, and contributing nearly $53 billion to the U.S. economy.
- While we must always strive to ensure the safety of the American people, we should avoid any excessive policies that could shut down the travel and tourism industry, disrupting the livelihoods for millions of Americans like me.
- Add a personal note about how important the cruise industry is to you.”
Advisors can find the contact information for their Senator here and their Representative here.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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