Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced the establishment of CLIA Germany on the world’s biggest tourism fair ITB Berlin 2013. The hot national association can be headquartered in Hamburg and can be chaired by Michael Ungerer, CEO of AIDA Cruises. This follows CLIA’s Jan. 30 announcement of its expanded resources in Europe with CLIA Germany joining CLIA UK and Ireland and CLIA Netherlands as part of CLIA’s newly established global structure.
“The establishment of CLIA Germany further expands our presence in Europe, probably the most important markets for the worldwide cruise industry,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “With a significantly enhanced presence in Europe the cruise industry hasn’t ever been better positioned to talk with one global voice.”
“We are very happy to announce the establishment of CLIA Germany as portion of CLIA’s new worldwide structure,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of CLIA Europe, in his keynote speech which introduced ITB’s Cruise Panel. “With the establishment of a German national association, the cruise industry can better support its members locally and confirm they make the most of CLIA’s global programs within the second largest cruise market in Europe, one that has experienced substantial growth in recent times with the choice of passengers growing from 1.2 million in 2010 to at least one.4 million in 2011, a year-over-year increase of nearly 14 percent.”
CLIA Germany’s Leadership Council shall be led by Ungerer, Michael Zengerle, Managing Director of MSC Cruises Germany as Vice president, and Helge Grammerstorf, Managing Director of SeaConsult, as National Director. As a part of CLIA’s unified structure, along side German cruise lines, all relevant European regional and global association members may have membership on CLIA Germany’s Leadership Council. Additionally, ex-officio seats could be provided to German Travel Association, German Shipowners Association, and the CLIA Europe Secretary General.
CLIA Germany can be focusing extensive energies on strengthening its relationships with the travel agent community and the German Travel Association. Given this emphasis, Richard Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises, who also serves as chairman of the German Travel Association’s Cruise Section, could be the cruise industry’s primary liaison to the travel agent community.