Aviation and maritime minister Robert Courts, MP for Witney, was questioned during TTG’s Agenda 2021 conference.
Courts sits on the government’s Global Travel Task Force, which last month gave tentative backing for the resumption of sailings “as soon as it is safe to do so”.
Courts was told the industry needed a signal that it could prepare for a return in the new year.
He replied: “We are having conversations at present and ongoing to look at that aspect of the Global Travel report. I know you would like to have a ‘when’ answer, but work is ongoing.”
Courts said he could understand the industry’s frustration.
“I have a very close relationship with the cruise sector. The importance of cruise is fully understood by the government and by this minister. We continue to keep working on it.”
Agenda 2021 continues tomorrow. You can register here.
