By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Cruise Lines International Association has established CLIA Southeast Asia and CLIA North Asia.
Asia has a rapidly growing cruise industry and many of CLIA’s member cruise lines have already increased the number of ships they deploy in the region and customised onboard offerings to cater for Asian guests.
“Asia ranks highly on our list of emerging cruise regions as the globalisation of the cruise industry continues to gather pace,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA’s CEO. “CLIA Southeast Asia and CLIA North Asia will have an influential voice as they work with government and private enterprise to address market needs, master trade distribution, create highly desirable itineraries and offer advice on port and infrastructure.”
CLIA Southeast Asia and CLIA North Asia will replace the Asia Cruise Association, which was founded in 2009 and was directed by general manager Kevin Leong, chairman Zinan Liu, and founding chairman Rama Rebbapragada.
Chaired by Zinan Liu, Royal Caribbean’s managing director of Asia and China, CLIA North Asia will focus on infrastructure, advocacy and promoting cruising to travel industry communities in the region.
According to Ziu, North Asia is increasingly becoming a growth engine of the global cruise industry and generates many socio-economic benefits for all of the industry stakeholders.
“Like in any emerging market there is a need to tackle challenges including the lack of port infrastructure for cruise terminals, cross-border travel constraints and uncertainty of the regulatory environment,” said Liu. “Leveraging the wealth of international cruise lines’ expertise, know-how and best practices gained in other parts of the world, CLIA North Asia will be well positioned to achieve partnerships with all the stakeholders to promote the general interests of the industry and to safeguard a healthy and sustainable growth of the cruise economy in the region.”
CLIA Southeast Asia will be chaired by Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry, while Jennifer Yap, Royal Caribbean’s managing director of Singapore and Southeast Asia, will serve as secretary. Carnival Asia executives, Paul Chong and William Harber, have also joined the CLIA Southeast Asia Board.
“In terms of cruising growth, the Asia-Pacific regions are interconnected and together represent the world’s most dynamic area for cruise,” said Sherry. “CLIA Southeast Asia will have an integral leadership role in building the cruise category in the region, helping travel agents to understand that cruising is a business opportunity for them and encouraging investment by regional governments and authorities to open up ports and attractive cruise destinations.”
The Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Singapore Tourism Board will act as CLIA Global Executive Partners.