Clia’s new president says he is confident cruise lines can overcome overtourism challenges and insists a goal of reaching net zero by 2050 is achievable.
Charles ‘Bud’ Darr, who moved from MSC Group to succeed Kelly Craighead this month, said working closely with destinations was going to be “a bigger and bigger part” of Clia’s focus.
Speaking on a Travel Weekly webcast, he said: “I’m going to be able to help members a lot as we chart this very, very difficult course – getting to net zero for 2050 and making sure the communities we operate in are working with us closely so that we can be good, responsible corporate citizens and help them manage their tourism flows.
That’s very important for the long-term capability and I think it can all be done.”
Darr, who was Clia’s senior vice-president of technical and regulatory affairs from 2010 to 2017, said he felt the cruise industry was sometimes “singled out rather unfairly” in discussions about overtourism but argued the sector must “be part of the solution and not just complain”.
While acknowledging that some tourism taxes are necessary, he described them as “quite problematic” because of cost they add to a holiday.
Asked if cruise lines would change itineraries based on tourist taxes, Darr said: “I think many communities may find that there’s a tipping point where that can be counterproductive to what they think they’re going to accomplish.”
Darr highlighted methane or methanol fuel, either in advanced bio or synthetic forms, as the two “most likely fuel paths in the long term” for ships to become more sustainable.
However, he acknowledged there were “lots of steps” the sector must take to reach that point, adding that it would have to work closely with policymakers and energy providers.
Darr said this would be “the biggest factor” behind the sector being able to reach its net zero targets.
He said the industry was “prepared to be early adopters” and “willing partners as things move forward”, adding: “We can get there. I’m seeing an incredibly high level of commitment in the cruise sector to make it happen.”