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TO BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND TRAVEL EDITORS:
CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy Highlights Dynamic Growth of
Global Cruise Industry at Cruise Shipping Miami
MIAMI, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA) President and CEO Christine Duffy
today showcased the continued growth and bright future of the cruise
industry during her keynote address which opened Cruise Shipping
Miami, the premier annual event of the global cruise industry. Duffy
also announced the establishment of CLIA's 14th cruise association -
CLIA Italy - which will further enable the global association to speak
more powerfully and act more effectively as one industry with one
voice in key markets around the world.
A Strong 2014
Duffy spotlighted the industry's robust outlook for 2014, in which
CLIA projects 21.7 million global passengers will cruise this year -
up from the estimated 21.3 million passengers that cruised in 2013.
The 410 ships of CLIA's 61 member cruise lines represent 95 percent of
global cruise line capacity. To meet the growing demand for cruising,
24 new ships will launch by the end of 2015.
She noted the industry continues to expand its' reach "bringing
passengers to the most sought after parts of the world-creating a more
dynamic and competitive market for ports and destinations" and through
the "expansion of cruising into new and emerging markets."
Targeting more first-time cruisers will also contribute to the
industry's continued growth. A primary target for cruising is the 95
million-strong Millennials market - those consumers born between 1980
and 2000, who offer "a window into a whole new generation of travelers
and provides opportunities for serious growth" as they have a strong
desire for travel and shared experiences and represent a significant
future market. The industry will also benefit by capitalizing on a
number of trends, including its rich technology offerings that keep
passengers connected while onboard and its natural appeal to
multi-generational travelers, luxury and all-inclusive travelers and
active travelers.
Focusing on the 2014 outlook, Duffy also highlighted CLIA's most
recent travel agent survey that shows agents are bullish on cruise
bookings, with more than 70 percent expecting sales this year to range
from "good" to "excellent
Greater Executive Partner and Travel Agent Support
Duffy pledged greater support for CLIA's travel agent and agency
members and Executive Partners.
Focusing on CLIA's continuing evolution to meet its member travel
agent needs, Duffy stated that with "more choices, more ships, [and]
more destinations, it's more important than ever that we encourage
prospective passengers to use CLIA-certified travel advisors. These
travel professionals invest tremendous amounts of time and energy in
training and education to enable them to help find the right cruise
for each customer."
Duffy stated that CLIA Executive Partners now have a wide range of
membership levels - strategic, global, and regional- to meet their
specific interests. She recognized and thanked the "founding"
Strategic and Global Executive Partners and said, "With your support
and guidance, we will continue to refine the value proposition of this
program to ensure it continues to deliver maximum benefits to our
cruise line and Executive Partner members."
She thanked those members who have participated as CLIA Executive
Partners in the past and encouraged their continued engagement and
support.
A Global Leader for a Global Industry
Duffy spoke to how CLIA and its member lines strive to be leaders in
the development of policies and regulations that promote best
practices and further enhance responsible cruise line operations and
seek to "engage fully to facilitate transparency, consistency and
accountability around the world." She highlighted CLIA's active
involvement at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a key
component of its leadership in this area, spotlighting the adoption
last year of several new operational policies by the IMO after first
being voluntarily implemented by CLIA's members.
Highlighting the industry's ongoing commitment to safety, security and
the environment, she stated that "Our commitment to socially
responsible best practices is at the very core of all that we do in
the cruise industry. This is not only the right thing to do, but the
industry cannot be successful unless we demonstrate continuous
improvement and operational excellence as a model for the entire
maritime community."
Summing up the industry's bright future, Duffy concluded, "We're
serving more passengers every year. We're receiving guest
satisfaction rates that are among the highest in the entire travel
industry. And, we continue to launch dynamic and spectacular ships
that no one could have imagined just a decade ago."
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 and travel agents 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 program includes 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
-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
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