CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy Discusses Growth of European Cruise Market at 2014 ITB Berlin Conference

BERLIN, March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Christine Duffy, President and CEO of the cruise industry's global trade association – Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – delivered remarks at one of the world's largest travel and tourism conventions, the annual ITB conference in Berlin, Germany.

In her speech, Duffy outlined the tremendous growth the cruise industry has witnessed both in Europe and globally and detailed the positive economic impact of the cruise industry in Europe.

In 2013, CLIA member lines welcomed 21.3 million guests worldwide, and the industry anticipates this will grow to 21.7 million guests in 2014. A recent study shows cruising contributes over $100 billion to the global economy, supports more than 775,000 jobs, and pays $32.5 billion in wages.

"The cruise industry has a long and proud history in Europe – dating back to 1844 when the Peninsular & Oriental line launched the first 'sea tours,' bringing passengers to destinations such as Gibraltar, Malta, and Athens," Duffy said. "In 2012, 5.7 million passengers embarked on a cruise from Europe – making Europe the second largest market for cruise passengers worldwide. CLIA Europe and our National Chapters throughout Europe are proud to represent the industry and support our members by working with various stakeholders to continue the growth of cruising in this very important market."

Duffy highlighted the significant role the German cruise industry plays in the European market and also spoke to the cruise industry's sustainability efforts in Europe and globally, and its work to promote and maintain a healthy planet.

"No industry has a bigger stake in maintaining a pristine environment – both in the waters we sail and the ports we visit," Duffy explained. "We will continue to forge new paths toward a greener, more sustainable planet."

She also pointed out that cruise lines are already testing and installing catalytic converters and scrubbers, which will greatly reduce emissions. This, Duffy noted, "will make cruising more environmentally conscious than ever before."

Summing up the robust growth outlook for the cruise industry globally, Duffy concluded, "Our future is defined by new opportunities for growth, new ships that will broaden cruising's appeal to even more passengers, and exciting new itineraries that will open up more ports and destinations."

Duffy's remarks at ITB Berlin represented her second major international speech in the past month. She also delivered the keynote address at CLIA Australasia's inaugural cruise3sixty conference in Sydney, Australia in February, and she will kick off the thirtieth annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference, the premier annual event of the worldwide cruise industry, on March 11.   

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)