Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] TRA LEI
[SU] PDT FOR
TO FOREIGN, NATIONAL, AND TRAVEL EDITORS:
CLIA Expands Resources with National Organization in Italy
MIAMI, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CLIA's President &
CEO, Christine Duffy, today announced the establishment of CLIA Italy
during her opening remarks in the State of the Industry session at the
30th Anniversary of Cruise Shipping Miami, the premier annual event of
the worldwide cruise industry.
The new CLIA's national office will be headquartered in Rome. The
association will be managed by Mr. Francesco Galietti, who will act as
CLIA Italy's National Director. This follows CLIA's expansion of
resources in Europe, a process that started in 2013. CLIA Italy joins
CLIA UK & Ireland, CLIA Germany, CLIA France, CLIA Spain, CLIA
Netherlands, and CLIA Belgium & Luxembourg as the fourteenth
association operating under CLIA's newly established global structure.
"I am very pleased to announce the establishment of CLIA Italy as the
newest member of the CLIA family," said Christine Duffy, President and
CEO of CLIA. "With the establishment of CLIA Italy, we affirm our
support and commitment to a country that has been, is, and no doubt,
will continue to be, of vital importance to our future. Through CLIA
Italy, the industry can better support its members in the third
largest cruise market in Europe and ensure they benefit from CLIA's
extensive global reach and wide-ranging programs that support the
responsible growth for cruising. Last year 869,000 Italians booked a
cruise holiday, and more than 2 million passengers embarked on a
cruise ship from Italy. Italy is also a leading destination market and
an important country for shipbuilding. We affirm our support and
commitment to a country that has been, is, and no doubt, will continue
to be of vital importance to our future."
CLIA Europe's Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, who also participated on
the opening session in Miami as part of the State of the Global Cruise
Industry panel, said:
"As a top destination, an important source market, and a leader in
ship construction, Italy is one of the most important markets for the
cruise industry in the world, and the largest European country in
terms of total direct spending: in 2012 the industry spent ?4.46
billion in this country. We are firmly committed to Italy and the
Italian Cruise Industry and look forward to continued market growth
there and throughout Europe."
Robert Ashdown, Secretary General of CLIA Europe explained the
decision to expand CLIA's network to Italy by reaffirming the
industry's commitment to this market:
"With CLIA's expansion to the Italian market, our network in Europe
and Italy is now more consolidated than ever before. While the last
few years have been challenging for Europe's cruising industry, we
have consistently achieved record growth. CLIA Europe's integrated
network will allow us to further unify the industry under one voice in
order to continue addressing common challenges together and
positioning the industry for future successes."
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- 03/11/2014
/CONTACT: CLIA, David Peikin, (754) 201-2131, dpeikin@cruising.org
/Web Site: http://www.cruising.org/
CO: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
ST: Florida Italy
IN: TRA LEI
SU: PDT FOR
PRN
-- DC79940 --
0000 03/11/2014 13:30:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
