There is a concerted effort from the cruise sector to work together and protect and preserve the places ships visit, says Clia’s UK and Ireland director, Andy Harmer.
With the rescue and salvage operation still ongoing on the Danube, and ramifications of the incident in Venice unfolding, it has been an incredibly challenging couple of weeks for the global industry; and our thoughts are with those affected by these incidents.
At times of difficulty it’s more important than ever to work together to ensure best practice is shared and implemented, regardless of brand or holding company, to protect our customers, partners, and industry.
No other part of the global travel industry works together like the cruise sector. Alongside the incredible innovation in onboard experience from each and every brand, is a combined and concerted effort from these individual brands under the Clia umbrella, to protect and preserve the places we visit and the seas we sail in.
From regular meetings of the executive committee, comprising senior executives from across the industry; and a fully co-ordinated approach to safety, security and sustainability, both in Europe and globally; sharing information and knowledge is at the heart of all we do.
Working alongside our cruise line members in this, is our global network of travel agents.
Never before has communicating with our travel agents been so important, which is why here at Clia we have more tools than ever for you to utilise. From podcasts to online toolkits to webinars, there is a host of different ways to access the latest, most relevant information to talk to your customers.
Just this week we have added a new section on Cuiseexperts.org on sustainability, featuring unique resources including shareable video content and infographics on this vital area of our work. Plus, on logging in, members will see a new ‘Newsflash’ area, with talking points around key issues of the day, such as the recent changes to the law in Cuba affecting the cruise industry.
Within the ‘reports’ area of the site agents have access to key industry information including the digital version of the Clia Agents Guide To Sustainability. And, of course, the Travel Agent Advisory Council meets regularly, and issues surrounding sustainability, and the best way Clia can support agents is a continuing part of the agenda for these quarterly meetings.
Alongside the high-profile ship launches and advances in ever-evolving technology; our work around safety, security and sustainability is at the very heart of the global cruise industry.
The team and I here at Clia UK & Ireland are here to promote, protect and preserve this truly amazing industry we work in, and we are here to help you, our valued agent partners, wherever we can.
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