The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has revealed it will host two additional trade-friendly events later this year in Gibraltar and Barcelona

CLIA’s managing director for UK & Ireland Andy Harmer announced the news to some 850 cruise industry delegates at the association’s annual conference, which has been taking place in Southampton this week.

The first new event will see the return of CLIA’s Destination Showcase on 15-17 September in Gibraltar. Destination training and education will play a key role throughout the event, with a range of related business sessions, as well as local familiaisation visits and excursions.

Delegates will also be able to take part in a series of ship visits onboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Azamara Quest. The Showcase will be hosted in conjunction with Visit Gibraltar, who will provide preferential rates for hotel accommodation as part of the agreement.

A brand-new event will then take place from October, named the CLIA Weekender, which will be held in Barcelona from the 24-26. The event will provide the trade with the opportunity to experience ships that typically sail from overseas ports, with a trio of vessels already confirmed.

Delegates will be able to visit Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on 24 October; MSC World Europa and Explora Journeys’ EXPLORA II on 25 October, and finally Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star on 26 October.

An evening reception will be held on October 24 in Barcelona, with free time to explore the city built into the programme.

Events to provide agents with more opportunities for first-hand insight

“These two events will give agents the ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in renowned destinations and a range of fantastic ships,” Harmer said.

“We’ve already heard today that demand for every type of cruise continues to increase, so our Destination Showcase and CLIA Weekender will provide more opportunities to gain the invaluable first-hand insight we know is so compelling when selling cruise.”

Minister for Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, added: “The Visit Gibraltar team at the Gibraltar Tourist Board and I are looking forward to welcome CLIA to Gibraltar and host their Destination Showcase in September.

“As Minister for Tourism I am excited to present The Rock to professionals in the cruise industry so they can appreciate first-hand what we have to offer that makes Gibraltar a must visit destination.”

Shifting demographics, an uptick in expedition popularity and consumers booking earlier were some of the trends identified during this year’s CLIA Conference, which continues today with ship visits and the Sailaway Party.