CLIA UK & Ireland has highlighted the trade initiatives and activities it has delivered this year and outlined some of its plans for 2023.

In 2022, the association added new sections to its trade website, including a ‘cruise daily’ page, which houses the latest industry news, opinion, trends and trade opportunities, and a brand profiles page, which gives agents access to information and contact details for each CLIA member cruise line.

It also produced a ‘new to luxury and ultra-luxury cruise guide’, the fifth in a series, which is aimed at agents who sell, or are looking to start selling, high-end products.

In addition, CLIA continued “its engagement campaign with government officials”, a statement said.

The government has recently initiated a working group to formalise relationships, which will allow the cruise industry to meet with cross-government officials to discuss new opportunities and challenges.

As for 2023, the association intends to launch a series of exclusive ‘boot camp’ webinars in January, which will cover member cruise lines’ main wave activity, and will hold its first parliamentary event for agents to attend, featuring new tourism minister Stuart Andrew.

The annual RiverView conference will then be held in Vienna in March, while the CLIA Conference will take place in Southampton in May.

CLIA thanks trade for ‘positivity & support’

CLIA recently revealed the theme for its conference as #CruiseHeroes, providing a “chance to look at some of the leaders in the cruise industry who make an outstanding contribution to its success”.

The announcement was made at the annual CLIA Forum, which was attended by more than 250 stakeholders from across the cruise sector.

CLIA UK & Ireland MD Andy Harmer said: “I’d like to finish 2022 by saying a huge thank you to the trade, on behalf of CLIA and the cruise industry.

“Their positivity, support and incredible hard work has been inspiring, and we end the year on a high as a result of all their efforts. 

“We can all look forward to 2023 with a real sense of optimism and have much to look forward to, not least with all the new initiatives and product that is set to be introduced.”