Cruise Lines International Association Australasia is getting a new managing director in the New Year.
Joel Katz will take over as CLIA Australasia MD on January 1, 2017 and brings 25 years of global experience in the travel industry.
Most recently he was executive vice president of Grand Circle Cruise Line in the UK and held posts in Australia for Orion Expedition Cruises, and hospitality firms Hyatt and Marriott.
"Joel’s strong industry and operational experience make him an ideal fit for this position and I look forward to seeing CLIA Australasia thrive under his leadership," CLIA President and CEO Cindy D’Aoust said.
Katz replaces Neil Linwood, who has been with CLIA since 2014.
"On behalf of CLIA Australasia, I thank Neil for his exceptional work in laying strong foundations for the growth of cruising in this region. Australasia’s cruise sector is particularly robust with annual cruise passenger numbers increasing more than six-fold over the past decade to now exceed one million. We look forward to welcoming and working beside Joel to continue the drive forward," said CLIA Australasia chairman Steve Odell.
