CLIA Announces Development of Global Ports Committee and Names Bo Larsen Director of Port Engagement and Business Development

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced the establishment of a Global Ports Committee as well as new regional committees in the Americas, Australasia and Asia in addition to the regional committee already operating in Europe. CLIA is now focusing more on engaging directly with port communities around the world both on operational and strategic issues. Port partners will now have increased opportunities to engage with CLIA member lines through this newly established Committee structure.

The Global Ports Committee, chaired by Giora Israel of Carnival Corporation includes Tom Spina of Norwegian Cruise Line, Gianluca Suprani of MSC Cruises, and John Tercek of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. This committee will serve as a forum where cruise lines and ports from around the world can come together to discuss port-related issues of interest and will help to more fully integrate port development and operations within the larger cruise industry. 

"I am honored to serve as chair of the Global Ports Committee, which will play an integral role in strengthening the relationships between cruise lines and port communities," said Israel.  "Both cruise lines and destinations can benefit significantly by providing excellent service to passengers who embark and disembark cruise ships — and establishing this committee together with my colleagues from the other cruise companies will further our mutual goals of maximizing the positive impact of cruise tourism." 

As part of its globalization, CLIA redesigned its Executive Partner program, which is comprised of 250 port authorities, destinations and maritime and industry suppliers who are important partners to the cruise lines and  play a major role in the successful operation of cruising. As part of this effort, CLIA today also announced that it has named Bo Larsen to the position of Director of Port Engagement and Business Development. In this role, Bo will initially have responsibility as the staff liaison to the regional ports committee in Europe and Executive Partner business development for Northern Europe. Bo will support Didier Scaillet, CLIA Global Vice President of Business Development, who serves as the staff liaison to the Global Ports Committee and leads CLIA's global business development activities.

"Bo's strong background in cruise port development, international sales and marketing expertise, strong relationships with port representatives, and success growing the cruise industry's presence in Copenhagen and the Baltic region make him an ideal fit to represent CLIA in this important new position," said Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of CLIA Europe and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.

Prior to joining CLIA, Larsen served as director of the Cruise Copenhagen Network and Cruise Baltic, where he oversaw the significant growth of the cruise industry in the region and had responsibility for sales, marketing, business development and branding. Larsen joins CLIA on March 1, 2014.   

About CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive Partner program includes the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed@CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog. 

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association