Andy Harmer, managing director for UK & Ireland, announced details at CLIA’s annual forum, which was held today (December 18, 2024) at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor. 200 delegates from across the industry were in attendance.
Next year will see:
- This first ever CLIA Expedition Showcase, from July 16-20, in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. With limited places available to agents, the event will include ships visits on AE Expeditions, Ponant, Quark Expeditions and Swan Hellenic, as well as business sessions, shore excursions, two hosted lunches and two hosted dinners.
- A new Art of Selling Cruise event in Leeds on July 3. Both CLIA and member cruise lines will offer information and advice to agents, including a particular emphasis on those who are new to the industry.
- New one-day, in-person forums for agents, with a specific focus on one sector of the cruise industry. The UK-wide lineup comprises:
o Expedition in London on March 20
o Luxury in Manchester on June 18
o Yacht and small ship sailing in Birmingham on September 4
o River cruise in Glasgow on October 23
The forums will be supplemented by a series of corresponding webinars.
- The return of the Expedition Champion and the River Champion hybrid learning programmes. The programmes, launched this year, will again have space for a total of 70 frontline agents, who can join the six-month modules in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile, the final few places for CLIA’s annual conference, being held in Southampton from May 22, are available. The three-day event will include ship visits, conference sessions, a trade fair and Sailaway party.
Andy Harmer said: “Today’s Forum has been the ideal way to round off another successful year and I’d like to thank every agent and industry colleague who has made it all possible. We’re determined for the momentum to keep apace in 2025 and have ensured there are a wealth of new opportunities available for the trade to develop their expertise across the next 12 months. For everyone looking to bolster their sales, including during the upcoming Wave period, we’d urge them to think CLIA in the new year.”
Tags: Andy Harmer, Cruise Lines International Association CLIA
