| Global News

HEADLINES across most sections of
the media today relate to the next
eight months of political pain that we
have to endure with the Prime
Minister’s announcement of a
September 14th Federal election.
For me news of greater importance
was the latest update on the global
roll out of CLIA. For those just
returning from an extended festive
season, the International Cruise
Council Australasia (ICCA) will be rebranding
as Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) in the months
ahead.
Overnight our Global CEO, Christine
Duffy announced that in addition to
the nine cruise industry associations
from around the world that are
pulling together to form one global
entity, there are now two more
national cruise associations joining
the global team – The Netherlands
and France.
Further to this CLIA is also currently
developing a German cruise council
to be based in Hamburg which will be
named CLIA Germany. Later this
year, CLIA will also be establishing
cruise councils in Italy and Spain,
which will ensure a strong local
presence for the industry in those key
markets.
How does this impact us in Australia
& New Zealand? An enhanced reach
into more foreign markets will ensure
increased benefits and a globally
unified voice for cruise lines, travel
agents and business partners – all of
whom contribute to an industry that
already creates nearly $100 billion in
economic impact and more than
753,000 jobs worldwide.