CLIA has revealed that the theme for its 2019 conference will be ‘next generation’.

In addition, Azamara Club Cruises’ president and chief executive officer Larry Pimentel will be one of the keynote speakers.

The conference takes places in Southampton from 15-17 May.

The theme explores what cruise lines are doing to shape holidays for the future through innovation, investment and experiences. 

CLIA UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer said: “The theme ‘next generation’ allows us to look ahead at how cruise holidays will change in the future in terms of the experiences on offer and the guests they will appeal to.

“There is a huge amount of investment within the cruise industry, not only on new ships but also in technological innovations. Through this theme we will be looking at how this investment will affect the ‘next generation’ of cruise holiday, from river and ocean to luxury and expedition.

“The theme will explore who exactly the ‘next generation’ of cruisers are – people who may have never considered a cruise before but are attracted to the new, never-seen-before experiences cruise lines will offer.

“It also recognises our CLIA travel agent partners and the dedication they put into helping the cruise industry grow. We will continue to invest in providing our travel agent members with the very best in accredited learning, unique resources and inspirational events.

The annual CLIA conference is the largest travel agent event in the UK with a record number of travel agents already registered.

The 2019 edition will include a trade fair, a full day of conference sessions and a gala dinner.

Delegates will also have the chance to visit two of the three ships in port for the event – Celebrity Edge, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and MSC’s Preziosa.

To register for a place and book a ticket, log in at www.cruisexperts.org.