The new cruise association, CLIA UK and Ireland, launches tomorrow and will be focused mainly on agency training, marketing and promotion.
Formed following the merger of the Association of Cruise Experts and the Passenger Shipping Association, CLIA UK forms part of a global cruise organisation – Cruise Lines International Association.
From Wednesday, the UK team will be based in the same London office but will report into the European head office in Brussels, led by secretary general Robert Ashdown and chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
PSA chairman Bill Gibbon is retiring today. His regulatory and lobbying work will be taken over by Ashdown, in close cooperation with the UK Chamber of Shipping.
CLIA UK and Ireland will be led by Andy Harmer, formerly director of the Association of Cruise Experts.
Jo Rzymowska, AVP and general manager UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises takes on the role of chair for CLIA UK and Ireland.
From January 2014, members will pay subscriptions to CLIA Global, based in Washington, which will then distribute funds to each regional and national office.
A decision about any change in fees and the fee structure is due to be announced in June.
