The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has unveiled a range of new agent training and engagement initiatives.

Introduced at the CLIA Cruise Conference in Southampton this week, the packages include quarterly podcasts, weekly news vodcasts, and a new river cruise specialist accreditation.

The first podcast will be released for download on CLIA’s Cruise Expert’s site at the end of next month, and will feature interviews with top industry executives and specialists from across the cruise sector, with a discussion of trends and analysis.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, will feature in the first video, which will also include a chat with the Mayor of Dubrovnik about the ways the cruise industry and the city are working together to combat over-tourism concerns.

Weekly vodcasts will also be launched on Cruise Experts in June, offering a 60-second round-up of the week’s cruise news.

Andy Harmer, director CLIA UK & Ireland, said: “In the last agent survey, 89 per cent of respondents valued our role in terms of providing an industry level commentary, analysis and opinion on key industry issues. We hope that the podcasts and weekly news podcasts will be an accessible and entertaining way for us to communicate with our agents.”

The river specialist accreditation will be available this year. This will give agents the chance to work towards becoming a river cruise ambassador.

“Professional development and accreditation is one of the most important parts of what CLIA offers, according to 91 per cent of our members,” added Harmer. “We are delighted to be offering the chance to specialise in the dynamic river cruise sector, one of the fast-growing parts of our industry, for the first time.”