The cruise industry united
for an historic two-day events
extravaganza with Australia’s
inaugural Cruise3sixty conference
on Fri followed up by the first
CLIA-branded national awards
ceremony on Sat.
More than 370 delegates
attended Cruise3sixty – held
outside North America for the
first time – at the Four Seasons in
Sydney, which attracted several
high-profile guests including
surprise appearances by the
Minister for Roads and Ports,
Duncan Gay, and The Love Boat
star Captain Merrill Stubing aka
Gavin MacLeod.
The Minister, describing Sydney
Harbour as “our crown”, seemed
pleased to discuss the less
troublesome component of his
portfolio, including the expansion
of the Overseas Passenger
Terminal and the growth in
regional destinations such as
Newcastle and Eden, but noted
that access to White Bay Cruise
Terminal “needs a bit of work”.
CLIA global president Christine
Duffy said in her opening address
that it was a “landmark year” for
cruising, with 34 ships making
588 calls between Oct 2013 and
Apr 2014, and Australia achieving
the second highest market
penetration rate in the world.
“Australasia could surpass North
America in the coming decade,”
she said, before commending
travel agents on their “critical”
role in this success.
“Agents are the natural
ambassadors, the lifeblood of the
industry,” Duffy said.
Other highlights included panel
discussions with the local heads
of all the major cruise lines
including Ann Sherry (Carnival
Australia), Gavin Smith (RCCL),
Geoff McGeary (APT), Stuart
Allison (Princess Cruises), Karen
Christensen (Silversea), Stewart
Williams (Globus), Kathryn Beadle
(Hurtigruten) and Francesco Galli
Zugaro (Aqua Expeditions).
Also featuring was Simon Cheng
(director of marketing, P&O and
Cunard), Craig Chisholm, md,
ozcruising, Dan Russell, gm, Clean
Cruising, Michelle Taylor, gm sales
& marketing, Travel the World,
Ross McDonald from Google
Australia, and Carolyn Spencer
Brown, “the most powerful
woman in cruising”, editor-inchief
of Cruise Critic.
Sarina Bratton AM, Compagnie
du Ponant’s new Australia
chairman, wrapped proceedings
with a vision of cruising’s potential
fan base in 2020, by when the
65+ market is forecast to double
and the 85+ market will triple.
Sherry pointed toward the
surge in the family market, which
has been “turned back on” to
cruising.
“It has become fashionable
again, I think we’ve created a new
heyday of cruising,” she said.
More from C360 on pgs 2, 3 & 4.
