As Canada lifts international cruise ban, B.C. prepares for ‘very strong’ 2022 season
Global News
International cruise ships can return to Canadian waters, opening the door for a busy 2022 cruise season in British Columbia.
The federal government’s ban on international cruise ships has been lifted, providing some hope to residents of Canadian cities whose economies rely on tourism.
The pandemic-related restriction ended Nov. 1, opening the doors to a busy season next year — even if Ottawa is still advising Canadians not to go cruising themselves.
“Bookings for cruises have already begun and we can see that the bookings are very strong for next year,” said Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
“We look forward to working with Transport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada confirming the vaccination requirements that will be in place for all passengers.”
British Columbia is the hub of cruise travel in Canada, making up about 50 per cent of all cruise traffic, according to a report from Destination BC.
The cruise industry pumped roughly $130 million per year into the Victoria region before the pandemic and employed about 800 people, adds the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
The success of the B.C. capital’s 2022 cruise season, however, could be impacted by an American bill that, if passed, would allow cruise ships to permanently skip ports in B.C.
As it stands, the U.S. Passenger Vessels Services Act requires large foreign-flagged passenger vessels to stop in a foreign port between U.S. port stops.
