CLIA has enhanced its expedition and destination support for agents with a range of new training events, webinars and interviews.

The trade body will host two specialist “Destination Days”, including a virtual “Cruising the Kimberley, Western Australia” event on 26 October 2023 and a “Cruising Central and South America” webinar on 27 October.

Both days will start with live webinars, and then be followed by additional interviews and conversations on the CLIA Facebook Group and its website.

The trade-friendly sessions will have cruise line and tourist board experts on hand to offer advice to those agents who want to know more about the ships that sail to the regions, the range of destinations on offer and how best to start or enhance expedition sales.

The webinars follow two expedition-themed dinners, held last week in London and Manchester. The dinners saw almost 60 stakeholders from across the cruise industry come together to discuss current trends, the opportunities for growth and future plans.

CLIA reports uptick in consumers seeking expedition cruises

According to CLIA’s most recent State of the Cruise Industry report, the number of passengers sailing on expedition cruises more than doubled from 2016 to 2022.

CLIA UK & Ireland managing director Andy Harmer said consumer interest in booking an expedition cruise is “higher than ever”, as travellers seek “more immersive, responsible, bucket-list” travel experiences.

“We’re therefore offering as much support as possible so agents can capitalise on that demand,” he added. “These are very exciting times in the expedition sector and we have every confidence it will continue to go from strength-to-strength in 2024 and beyond.”

It comes after agents were urged to focus on explaining the key features and highlights of destinations to attract new-to-cruise guests at CLIA’s recent Porto Destination Showcase event.