CLIA announces new trade events

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today (May 23, 2024) confirmed two additional trade-friendly events will take place later this year to support their portfolio of events in 2024. The announcements were made by Andy Harmer, CLIA Managing Director for UK & Ireland, to an audience of 850 delegates during the trade association's annual conference in Southampton.

Andy Harmer revealed that:

* CLIA's Destination Showcase returns from September 15-17, and will this year be held in Gibraltar. Destination training and education will play a key role throughout the event, with a range of related business sessions, as well as an invitation to join local tours and excursions. Delegates will also be welcomed onboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Azamara Quest for ship visits. The Showcase will be hosted in conjunction with Visit Gibraltar, who will provide preferential rates for hotel accommodation.

* A new event for 2024, named the CLIA Weekender, will be held in Barcelona in October. The event will provide the trade with the opportunity to experience ships that typically sail from overseas ports, with the line-up of ships supporting the event as follows:

October 24: Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas
October 25: MSC World Europa and Explora Journeys' EXPLORA II
October 26: Windstar Cruises' Wind Star

An evening reception will be held on October 24 in Barcelona, with free time to explore the city built into the programme.

Further details will be shared soon.

Andy Harmer said: "These two events will give agents the ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in renowned destinations and a range of fantastic ships. We've already heard today that demand for every type of cruise continues to increase, so our Destination Showcase and CLIA Weekender will provide more opportunities to gain the invaluable first-hand insight we know is so compelling when selling cruise."

Minister for Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: "The Visit Gibraltar team at the Gibraltar Tourist Board and I are looking forward to welcome CLIA to Gibraltar and host their Destination Showcase in September. As Minister for Tourism I am excited to present The Rock to professionals in the cruise industry so they can appreciate first-hand what we have to offer that makes Gibraltar a must visit destination.”

CLIA Conference opens today with conference sessions and an industry trade fair. Themed #DiscoverMore, it will run to May 25 and from tomorrow features ship visits and a Sailaway Party.