Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland recently made a number of agent-friendly announcements and updates at its annual conference in Southampton. Over 850 delegates from across the trade heard from Andy Harmer, managing director UK & Ireland, who confirmed:
There has been a 10% increase in CLIA membership since May 2024, with almost 4,300 agency members and 10,000 individuals now using CLIA's resources and training
A further expansion of CLIA's online 'virtual ship tours' is being made, with 12 more vessels added this year. The CLIA Cruise Champions Class of 2025 will graduate in June – and new for the next intake in the autumn will be a Luxury Cruise stream, to sit alongside the current Expedition Cruise and River Cruise programmes
A complimentary 'New to Selling Cruise Virtual Day' has been announced for July 3, which is open to all cruise agent newcomers. CLIA Cruise Week will this year take place from September 15 - 21. CLIA is encouraging the trade to start their planning now, while a raft of Cruise Week agent updates will be made over the next few months
CLIA Conference runs to May 24. It is the largest UK travel agent of the year and today included business sessions and a networking trade fair. The next couple of days feature a sailaway party and up to two ships for agents to visit, from an overall choice of six:
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral
- P&O Cruises' Britannia
- Oceania Cruises' Vista
- Princess Cruises' Sky Princess
- MSC Cruises' Virtuosa
- Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas
Two optional pre-Conference opportunities were yesterday on offer to delegates: a 'New to Selling Cruise Day', featuring sales training and product updates, or an ‘Expedition Summit’, which was hosted on Swan Hellenic in Portsmouth.
Andy Harmer said: “The cruise sector is thriving, and we're thrilled to see so many agents, cruise lines and partners come together to share ideas, learn and celebrate our progress. Many thanks to everyone who has made such a wide-ranging event possible.
"Our latest initiatives - from training days to enhanced virtual ship tours - reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting the trade with industry-leading information and advice. Whether agents are new to cruise or seasoned sellers, CLIA is here to help them grow their confidence, knowledge and bookings.”
