| CDU conference ‘critically important’

A new venue in Hobart and
international speakers will
underscore the industry’s most
important conference to date.
AS AUSTRALIA’S largest cruise season
approaches, Cruise Down Under is pulling out
the big guns for its annual conference in Aug.
Four international speakers have been
announced, and the venue is one of the
hottest new tourism attractions in the country:
Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).
“It is critically important that all
stakeholders understand the volume and
demand that this coming season presents,”
CDU chairman Chris White, told Cruise Weekly.
“This is the only industry-based event
specifically tailored to the cruise industry in
Australia and it provides delegates the
opportunity to learn about the global cruise
industry, where Australia fits in the big
picture, what the cruise lines are planning in
the coming seasons, and how to be part of the
fastest growing tourism sector in our region.”
Key speakers include Christopher Allen,
associate vp Global Deployment and Itinerary
Planning, Royal Caribbean International &
Celebrity Cruises; Captain Nikolaos Antalis,
port captain RCI & Azamara Club; Shirley
Henderson, manager Shore Excursions for
Carnival UK; and Jennifer Vandekreeke,
director Australia, Carnival Cruise Lines.
With a conference theme of “Connecting
experiences – from ship to shore”, much
discussion will focus on the link between
onboard and shore experiences, the
development of itineraries, infrastructure and
economic benefits.
“We will also be discussing how destinations
and tourism businesses need to tailor shore
excursion product to the various brands of
cruise lines,” White said.
A range of plenary sessions, workshops,
industry functions and a gala dinner are also
planned for the three-day event.
The 2012 CDU Conference will be held on
29-31 Aug at MONA, Hobart.
Registrations are now open to both
members and non-members of CDU at
www.cruisedownunder.com.