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[STK]
[IN] TRA LEI
[SU] ECO TDS
TO BUSINESS, FOREIGN, AND TRAVEL EDITORS:
CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy Discusses Growth of European
Cruise Market at 2014 ITB Berlin Conference
BERLIN, March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Christine
Duffy, President and CEO of the cruise industry's global trade
association - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -
delivered remarks at one of the world's largest travel and tourism
conventions, the annual ITB conference in Berlin, Germany.
In her speech, Duffy outlined the tremendous growth the cruise
industry has witnessed both in Europe and globally and detailed the
positive economic impact of the cruise industry in Europe.
In 2013, CLIA member lines welcomed 21.3 million guests worldwide, and
the industry anticipates this will grow to 21.7 million guests in
2014. A recent study shows cruising contributes over $100 billion to
the global economy, supports more than 775,000 jobs, and pays $32.5
billion in wages.
"The cruise industry has a long and proud history in Europe - dating
back to 1844 when the Peninsular & Oriental line launched the first
'sea tours,' bringing passengers to destinations such as Gibraltar,
Malta, and Athens," Duffy said. "In 2012, 5.7 million passengers
embarked on a cruise from Europe - making Europe the second largest
market for cruise passengers worldwide. CLIA Europe and our National
Chapters throughout Europe are proud to represent the industry and
support our members by working with various stakeholders to continue
the growth of cruising in this very important market."
Duffy highlighted the significant role the German cruise industry
plays in the European market and also spoke to the cruise industry's
sustainability efforts in Europe and globally, and its work to promote
and maintain a healthy planet.
"No industry has a bigger stake in maintaining a pristine environment
- both in the waters we sail and the ports we visit," Duffy explained.
"We will continue to forge new paths toward a greener, more
sustainable planet."
She also pointed out that cruise lines are already testing and
installing catalytic converters and scrubbers, which will greatly
reduce emissions. This, Duffy noted, "will make cruising more
environmentally conscious than ever before."
Summing up the robust growth outlook for the cruise industry globally,
Duffy concluded, "Our future is defined by new opportunities for
growth, new ships that will broaden cruising's appeal to even more
passengers, and exciting new itineraries that will open up more ports
and destinations."
Duffy's remarks at ITB Berlin represented her second major
international speech in the past month. She also delivered the keynote
address at CLIA Australasia's inaugural cruise3sixty conference in
Sydney, Australia in February, and she will kick off the thirtieth
annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference, the premier annual event of
the worldwide cruise industry, on March 11.
About CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest
cruise industry trade association with representation in North and
South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the
interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and
destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory
and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent
training, research and marketing communications to promote the value
and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel
agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive
Partner programs include the industry's leading providers of supplies
and services that help cruise lines provide a safe,
environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for
millions of passengers every year. For more information on CLIA, the
cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies,
visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines
International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO
Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.
SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
-0- 03/05/2014
/CONTACT: CLIA, David Peikin, (754) 201-2131, dpeikin@cruising.org
/Web Site: http://www.cruising.org
CO: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
ST: Germany
IN: TRA LEI
SU: ECO TDS
PRN
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0000 03/05/2014 14:20:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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