CLIA Expands Resources with National Organization in Italy

MIAMI, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CLIA's President & CEO, Christine Duffy, today announced the establishment of CLIA Italy during her opening remarks in the State of the Industry session at the 30^th Anniversary of Cruise Shipping Miami, the premier annual event of the worldwide cruise industry.

The new CLIA's national office will be headquartered in Rome. The association will be managed by Mr. Francesco Galietti, who will act as CLIA Italy's National Director. This follows CLIA's expansion of resources in Europe, a process that started in 2013. CLIA Italy joins CLIA UK & Ireland, CLIA Germany, CLIA France, CLIA Spain, CLIA Netherlands, and CLIA Belgium & Luxembourg as the fourteenth association operating under CLIA's newly established global structure.

"I am very pleased to announce the establishment of CLIA Italy as the newest member of the CLIA family," said Christine Duffy, President and CEO of CLIA. "With the establishment of CLIA Italy, we affirm our support and commitment to a country that has been, is, and no doubt, will continue to be, of vital importance to our future. Through CLIA Italy, the industry can better support its members in the third largest cruise market in Europe and ensure they benefit from CLIA's extensive global reach and wide-ranging programs that support the responsible growth for cruising. Last year 869,000 Italians booked a cruise holiday, and more than 2 million passengers embarked on a cruise ship from Italy. Italy is also a leading destination market and an important country for shipbuilding. We affirm our support and commitment to a country that has been, is, and no doubt, will continue to be of vital importance to our future."

CLIA Europe's Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, who also participated on the opening session in Miami as part of the State of the Global Cruise Industry panel, said:

"As a top destination, an important source market, and a leader in ship construction, Italy is one of the most important markets for the cruise industry in the world, and the largest European country in terms of total direct spending: in 2012 the industry spent €4.46 billion in this country. We are firmly committed to Italy and the Italian Cruise Industry and look forward to continued market growth there and throughout Europe."

Robert Ashdown, Secretary General of CLIA Europe explained the decision to expand CLIA's network to Italy by reaffirming the industry's commitment to this market:

"With CLIA's expansion to the Italian market, our network in Europe and Italy is now more consolidated than ever before. While the last few years have been challenging for Europe's cruising industry, we have consistently achieved record growth. CLIA Europe's integrated network will allow us to further unify the industry under one voice in order to continue addressing common challenges together and positioning the industry for future successes."

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, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners 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 programs include 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 (CLIA)