Cruise Organizations Form Global Trade Group
by Andrew Sheivachman /Nine cruise industry associations around the world will merge and create a global trade association acting as an advocate and unified voice for the global cruise industry.
The coalition plans to offer more robust programs and networking opportunities for travel agents, under the banner of “One Industry, One Voice.”
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), European Cruise Council (ECC), Asia Cruise Association, Passenger Shipping Association (PSA/ACE), France’s AFCC, Brazil’s ABREMAR, Northwest and Canada Cruise Association (NWCCA), Alaska Cruise Association (ACA) and International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) will now all be known as CLIA, with their particular geographic designation.
All existing offices will remain open, and the changes to the organizational structure of all groups will become effective immediately.
The new organization will be governed by a global board and executive committee, chaired by Howard Frank, vice chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp. Christine Duffy, the current president and CEO of CLIA, will serve as president and CEO of the new association.
“There are immediate and longer term benefits from the new association that are extensive and wide ranging,” said Duffy. “It enables us to better leverage our members’ and partners’ investment in association membership while strengthening the industry’s leadership globally on issues such as safety, security, the environment, sustainability and health.
“It also allows us to consolidate industry research and to leverage promotional events and marketing communication to facilitate greater consumer interest in cruising.”
Stay tuned to Travel Market Report for more updates on how the new association will affect travel agents around the world.