The Hunter Valley's tourism industry faces a setback as Viking Cruises cancels its second visit to Newcastle due to safety concerns over an anti-coal protest. This decision comes amidst the Rising Tide protest group's planned People's Blockade event, which aims to disrupt coal shipping. The protest, scheduled for November 29th and 30th, has sparked a debate on the impact on local businesses and the cruise industry. While Rising Tide assures it will only target coal ships, the cruise company's decision to cancel has led to financial losses for the region, estimated at $750,000. The affected businesses, including tour operators and tourist-oriented stores, are now seeking compensation from Rising Tide. The protest group's spokesperson, Zack Schofield, argues that the group has no intention to impact tourism and has taken steps to assure the cruise company of its commitment to non-disruption. However, the Port of Newcastle's corporate affairs executive manager, Lucas Coleman, highlights a history of unfulfilled assurances from Rising Tide, leading to the cruise's cancellation. The situation raises questions about the responsibility of the Port Authority and the potential for legal action to address the financial losses incurred.
