by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Wed September 27, 2023
Quark Expeditions announced its new global membership in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association.
CLIA President and CEO Kelly Craighead said that adding Quark, the global leader in polar adventures, helps highlight the growing significance of small-ship expedition cruising within the industry.
“Quark Expeditions has been a pioneer in expedition cruising for more than 30 years, taking guests to the Arctic, Antarctic and other remote destinations,” Craighead said. “Small-ship expedition cruising is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of cruising’s growth, so we’re delighted to have Quark Expeditions join our global community at a time when there’s so much energy and innovation in the sector.”
The CLIA represents 95 percent of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity, as well as 65,000 global travel agents and 15,000 of the largest travel agencies in the world. The association also includes the world’s most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines.
“We’re extremely proud to be a new member of CLIA, an industry association whose values are so closely aligned with ours,” Quark President Andrew White said. “CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise environment, promoting positive travel experiences for guests around the world.”
“That mission mirrors the values that have fueled the passion and expertise of Quark Expeditions since we took our very first guests to the North Pole in 1991,” White continued. “One of our main drivers at Quark Expeditions is our commitment to ‘go beyond,’ a philosophy deeply ingrained in the CLIA network of travel professionals.”
Earlier this week, Quark announced two strategic changes within its sales organization that reflect its continuing investment in trade sales as a pivotal driver of its global growth.
To lead this investment in worldwide relationships, Beth Mercier has been promoted to Senior Director of Global Partnership Sales, while Becky Francis joined the company as Regional Sales Director, EMEA.
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