Odell was chairman of International Cruise Council Australasia (now CLIA Australasia) from 2005 to 2006
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Steve Odell, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ senior vice president and managing director of Asia Pacific, has been appointed as the new chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia.
Odell replaces Gavin Smith, who was appointed as chairman in 2011 and is now relocating to the UK following his recent appointment to senior vice president of international for Royal Caribbean International.
“Gavin has been very generous with his support and guidance for CLIA during a time of rapid industry growth and we thank him for all his hard work on the industry’s behalf,” said Neil Linwood, CLIA Australasia’s managing director. “We look forward to continuing to raise the cruise industry’s profile with Steve now at the helm of our committee.”
Chairman of International Cruise Council Australasia (now CLIA Australasia) from 2005 to 2006, Odell has more than 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry and has held senior management roles at various cruise lines, most recently Silversea Cruises. Last October, he joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings which encompasses Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“I welcome the opportunity to work in collaboration with the Board, providing a voice for the industry at such an exciting time for the sector,” said Odell. “Globally, the cruise industry has never had a brighter outlook, and within this Australia’s cruise sector is particularly robust. With annual Australian cruise passenger numbers increasing more than sixfold over the past decade to now exceed one million, and with more ships than ever cruising our waters and homeporting in our region, now is the time to lay the foundations for sustained growth into the future.”
CLIA also welcomed three new members to its executive committee, including Princess Cruises’ vice president of Australia and New Zealand Stuart Allison, Royal Caribbean’s managing director of Australia and New Zealand Adam Armstrong, and Carnival Cruise Line’s vice president of Australia, Jennifer Vandekreeke.
The new members join four existing committee members, including Sarina Bratton, chairman of Asia Pacific at Ponant; Karen Christensen, general manager of Australasia for Silversea Cruises; Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand; and Andrew Millmore, Clarke and Travel the World’s managing director.