By
Rebecca Gibson |
CLIA has appointed the present head of the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), Andy Harmer, as director of CLIA UK and Ireland from 1 May 2013.
The move comes at the same time as the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) and ACE join CLIA and coincides with the retirement of PSA director Bill Gibbons.
“Our goal is to grow the cruise market in the UK and Ireland by working with our travel agent partners and highlighting, through our consumer media campaigns, the many and varied great reasons for taking a cruise holiday,” said Harmer, head of ACE. “We will continue to provide effective training, support, national and international events for agents with the new association offering more robust partnership programmes and networking on a broader scale.”
He added: “Technical and regulatory issues will now be looked after by our colleagues in CLIA Europe who will oversee the activities of the national associations. We look forward to working with them on developing events and communications to create a greater interest in cruise holidays.”
The UK Chamber of Shipping’s cruise and ferry panel will represent all PSA ferry line members from 1 May 2013.
Commenting on the vast changes since he joined the passenger shipping industry in 1944, Gibbons said: “The formation of a global cruise association makes total sense for what is now a worldwide industry. We have a strong, dedicated team who will be moving forward with CLIA and I should like to thank all our member lines and associate members for their huge support and commitment over the years.”
Jo Rzymowska, who is currently associate vice president and general manager UK & Ireland for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will become chair for CLIA UK & Ireland.