By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has established its thirteenth national organisation in Spain.
Formed as part of CLIA’s newly established global structure, CLIA Spain joins associations in Germany, the UK and Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Belgium and Luxembourg. It has been formed to help to support the country’s cruise industry, which saw 576,000 Spaniards book a cruise holiday and 1.2 million passengers embark on cruises from Spanish ports last year.
“I am very pleased to announce the establishment of CLIA Spain as the newest member of the CLIA family,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chairman of CLIA Europe, in his keynote speech at the International Cruise Summit 2013 in Madrid. “With the establishment of a Spanish national association, the industry can better support its members locally and ensure they benefit from CLIA’s global programmes in the fourth largest cruise market in Europe.”
Headquartered in Madrid, the Spanish association will be chaired by Belén Wangüemert, general manager for Spain and France at Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. Emiliano Gonzalez, general manager of MSC Cruises in Spain, will serve as vice chairman, while Alfredo Serrano has been appointed as the organisation’s national director. Spanish cruise lines, relevant European regional and global association members and Robert Ashown, CLIA Europe’s secretary general will also have positions on the leadership council.
“With CLIA’s expansion to the Spanish market, our network in Europe is now more consolidated than ever before,” said Robert Ashdown, secretary-general of CLIA Europe. “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.”