From a memorable rendition of Amarillo (CLIA’s version) to celebrity appearances and unforgettable giveaways, CLIA concluded its annual conference this weekend, marking its largest to date with 850 delegates.
For the first time, agents could spend two consecutive days visiting ships, including Cunard’s Queen Anne, Fred. Olsen’s Borealis, MSC’s Virtuosa, P&O Cruises’ Iona and Britannia, Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess, and Silversea’s Silver Dawn.
Agents were also treated to conference sessions, an industry trade fair, and CLIA’s famous Sailaway Party, all umbrellaed under the theme of the conference: #DiscoverMore. McFly drummer, Strictly winner and Race Across the World contestant Harry Judd put in an appearance during the conference sessions, with other guests on stage including Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA; Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages; Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises; and Jeff Corwin, US wildlife biologist, TV personality and Princess Cruises’ onboard host.
The conference sessions shone light over the continued demand within the cruise industry, with Kelly Craighead taking to the stage to discuss the staggering statisitcs that the industry is currently forecasting. Over the past year, 31.7 million passengers cruised globally – two million more than in 2019. The intent to cruise also showed an increase, with 82% of recurring passengers willing to cruise again, and 71% of new-to-cruising passengers now wanting to take that dive.
Andy Harmer, CLIA managing director for UK & Ireland, hailed praise onto the trade, thanking them for the “fantastic feedback across the past few days” and he is now “confident agents now have unbeatable insight to help them sell cruise, no matter what their level of experience is.
“As holidays at sea continue to flourish, we can’t wait to see the trade put their new-found knowledge to good use.”
