In anticipation of Seatrade Cruise Global, the annual cruise travel industry conference, and its events there, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is unveiling its new Cruise Finder resource and announcing partnerships with The Travel Institute and World Ocean Council.
Cruise Finder
Available exclusively to CLIA Travel Agency and Individual Travel Agent Members is the new "CLIA Cruise Finder" tool, providing extensive cruise travel information. Perpetually updated with info from CLIA's 28 Global Cruise Line Members, data includes ship details, itineraries and onboard offerings in addition to agent educational content. There are also resources for planning group reservations and onboard events and meetings.
"CLIA is continually focused on providing its members with meaningful, practical and valuable resources to succeed," said Charles A. B. Sylvia, vice president, membership and trade relations. "Cruise Finder was designed based on Travel Agent feedback and input. Our Members will find it to be a one-stop resource that saves them time and increases their productivity."
Travel Agents looking to join CLIA and employ the new tool can visit http://cruising.org/travel-agent/.
Partnerships
CLIA has also joined forces with The Travel Institute and World Ocean Council. The former collaboration combines the groups' certifications and communities for mutual promotional endeavors.
"Partnering with The Travel Institute is a natural fit for our two organizations," said Cindy D'Aoust, Acting CEO, CLIA. "As two of the leading professional development organizations in the travel industry, we share a common goal of supporting travel professionals, by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. I'm looking forward to seeing the great work we can accomplish together in the future."
Travel professionals benefit with the following:
• Three complimentary months of basic The Travel Institute membership with skills for recent graduates of CLIA's Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) and Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) programs.
• Ten continuing education credits (CEUs) good toward The Travel Institute's annual CEU requisite and two complimentary CLIA classes offered twice per year for recent graduates of The Travel Institute's Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), and Certified Industry Travel Executive (CITE) who enroll in CLIA's ACC or MCC programs.
• Ten credits for CTA recent graduates toward CLIA's ACC and ten credits toward MCC for CTC or CTIE recent graduates.
Recent graduates are considered those who graduated from Jan. 1, 2015 to present.
"The partnership is particularly timely given our recent announcement that proclaims 2016 as The Year of the Travel Professional," said Diane Petras, CMP, CTIE, chief operating officer, The Travel Institute. "This year-long focus will clearly differentiate the dedicated travel professional from the travel hobbyist, and we're delighted to have CLIA as a partner and ambassador behind this campaign."
READ MORE: CLIA Announces 2016 Cruise Agent Member Benefits
Plus, the organizations are working to develop other initiatives to benefit their graduates through 2016 including "National Plan A Cruise Month" to promote the use of a CLIA Certified Travel Agent, the Congressional Resolution designation of October as "Cruise Travel Professional Month" and The Travel Institute's "Learn. Lead. Innovate." management webinar series.
Those CLIA members interested in the new program can email [email protected].
As for the World Ocean Council, CLIA has partnered with the international business leadership alliance dedicated to Corporate Ocean Responsibility. The teaming will continue to foster environmental protection and innovation among CLIA members' approximately 300 ocean cruise ships.
Bud Darr, CLIA Senior Vice President for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, said, "protecting and caring for the environment is fundamental to the cruise industry. We depend on healthy oceans, clean beaches and pristine destinations that meet passengers' expectations today and in the future. CLIA is proud to become a member of the World Ocean Council. This international industry platform creates the opportunity for our cruise line members to collaborate with like-minded peers from other sectors in tackling the shared sustainability challenges affecting the future of the ocean and the future of our business."
Neil Baird, the WOC Board Chair, added, "The WOC is honoured to welcome CLIA to our global, multi-industry leadership alliance. Tourism is the largest economic sector globally by many measures, and it is dominated by coastal and marine interests. The cruise industry is the fastest growing ocean industry and so we welcome CLIA's involvement in the WOC. We look forward to marine and coastal tourism and resort operators becoming involved in the WOC in order to bring their Corporate Ocean Responsibility leadership to the efforts of the collective ocean business community."
Seatrade Events
Next week, Seatrade Cruise Global will kick off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a number of CLIA-hosted opportunities.
First, there will be two networking events just for its Executive Partner Members to connect with over 100 cruise line executives. "CLIA Business on the Beach" will be a cocktail reception scheduled for Monday night, and "CLIA Connect" will be found on the exhibit floor for partners and cruise line members to mingle at the CLIA booth on Wednesday afternoon. Throughout the conference, the booth will also be available to attendees to learn more about 2016 member benefits.
Also, acting CLIA CEO Cindy D'Aoust will welcome conference attendees at the "2016 State of the Global Cruise Industry Session" on Tuesday morning - featuring Arnold Donald, President & CEO, Carnival Corporation; Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises; and Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; plus Charles A. Robertson, Chairman & CEO, American Cruise Lines; Edie Rodriguez, President & CEO, Crystal Cruises; and Tara Russell, President, Fathom and Global Impact Lead, Carnival Corporation.
"The CLIA events at Seatrade Cruise Global are designed to maximize our Members networking power and conference experience," said Cindy D'Aoust. "I am confident that the topics and conversation throughout the week will be invaluable to those in attendance and set the stage for another successful year for the entire cruise industry."
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