The cruise industry association, CLIA, is elevating its offerings for 2025, promising enriched benefits for its members and a refreshed events calendar.
- Following a remarkable year in 2024, CLIA intends to adapt its event line-up to cater to travel agents and the evolving industry.
- The enhanced package will focus on varied levels of travel agent expertise, appealing to a broad spectrum from newcomers to seasoned experts.
- Members in the UK and Ireland will gain access to new events, resources, and continued professional development opportunities.
- Initiatives include learning programmes, conferences, and industry-wide events to support travel agents in expanding cruise sales.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is poised to significantly enhance its member benefits come 2025, alongside a refreshed schedule of events. This strategic move follows an exceptionally successful year in 2024, as CLIA aims to better align its offerings with the needs of the travel agent community and adapt to the broader dynamics of the cruise industry. With an increasing number of cruise line members across various sectors, CLIA plans to ensure a diverse range of expertise is available to travel agents, whether they are new to the field or experienced professionals.
In preparation for 2025 membership openings in the UK and Ireland, CLIA has unveiled a comprehensive benefits package. This includes new events and the continuation of its Expedition and River Cruise Champion programmes. These programmes, having commenced in the autumn of 2024, will see another iteration in late 2025, welcoming another cohort of travel agent participants eager to advance their skills.
Among the highlighted events is the RiverView Conference set for March and the flagship CLIA Conference scheduled in May. These key gatherings will include optional pre-conference events like the Expedition Summit, providing alternatives for those interested in different aspects of the cruise industry and catering to various levels of expertise. Furthermore, ‘The Art of Selling Cruises’, a full-day event slated for summer, aims to bolster agents’ efforts in increasing cruise sales.
Members will also benefit from enhanced access to CLIA’s resources, including the Cruise Forum residential events that focus on different sectors, and the comprehensive trade section of CLIA’s website. This includes new-to-selling resources, detailed destination and itinerary factsheets, brand profiles, and a host of incentives and online training opportunities. Virtual ship tours, monthly focus sessions, and webinars under ‘CLIA Presents’ are also available, designed to keep members informed and engaged.
Andy Harmer, managing director of CLIA UK and Ireland, reinforced the efforts to accommodate the sustained growth in cruise passengers and the expansion of cruise destinations. He emphasised the increased provision of insights, resources, and in-person opportunities for agents, underscoring CLIA’s commitment to fuelling their knowledge and ability to inspire travelers with memorable journeys.
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for CLIA as it enhances member benefits and reimagines events to better serve the travel industry.
