Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced the establishment of CLIA Germany at the world’s biggest tourism fair ITB Berlin 2013. The new national association will be headquartered in Hamburg and will be chaired by Michael Ungerer, CEO of AIDA Cruises. This follows CLIA’s January 30 announcement of its expanded resources in Europe with CLIA Germany joining CLIA UK and Ireland and CLIA Netherlands as a part of CLIA’s newly established global structure.
“The establishment of CLIA Germany further expands our presence in Europe, one of the most important markets for the global cruise industry,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “With a significantly enhanced presence in Europe the cruise industry has never been better positioned to speak with one global voice."
CLIA Germany’s Leadership Council will be led by Ungerer, Michael Zengerle, managing director of MSC Cruises Germany as vice chairman, and Helge Grammerstorf, managing director of SeaConsult, as national director. As part of CLIA’s unified structure, along with German cruise lines, all relevant European regional and global association members will have membership on CLIA Germany’s Leadership Council. Additionally, ex-officio seats will be provided to German Travel Association, German Shipowners Association and the CLIA Europe Secretary General.
CLIA Germany will be focusing on strengthening its relationships with the travel agent community and the German Travel Association. Given this emphasis, Richard Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises, who also serves as chairman of the German Travel Association’s Cruise Section, will be the cruise industry’s primary liaison to the travel agent community.
For more information, visit www.cruising.org.