Global industry association Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) is expanding its reach in Europe.
The Dutch Cruise Council has become the tenth global cruise industry body to join the organisation, with more set to join.
Clia plans to establish cruise councils in Italy and Spain to ensure a strong local presence in both countries.
An agreement has been reached with French cruise association AFCC, to become Clia France in late spring. Clia is developing a German cruise council based in Hamburg which will be named Clia Germany.
The moves follow a pre-Christmas announcement that nine cruise industry groups, including the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) in the UK, were coming under the Clia umbrella with a unified structure to represent the global cruise industry with a single voice.
As a result the PSA is now known as Clia UK and Ireland while its Dutch counterpart, which has 16 cruise line members, will become Clia Netherlands.
Clia president and CEI Christine Duffy said: “Europe is an important market for the cruise industry because of its diverse and breathtakingly beautiful destinations that are rich in cultural heritage and offer something for every traveller.
“As we focus on ensuring the cruise industry speaks with one voice we are delighted to welcome the Dutch Cruise Council and the AFCC as part of Clia, and we look forward to broadening the industry’s representation in key European markets as Clia expands its presence in Germany, Italy and Spain.”
Clia also announced five appointments within the newly formed global association including Robert Ashdown as general secretary for Clia Europe, formerly the European Cruise Council. He was the ECC’s director of technical, environmental and operational issues and succeeds Tim Marking who is retiring after serving as secretary general for almost ten years.
Others are former MSC Cruise chief marketing officer Barbara Muckermann as global communications advisor, Tomas Matesanz as Clia Europe communications director, Didier Scaillet as business development vice-president and Rob Griffiths as director of technical and regulatory affairs, design and engineering.
Duffy said: “This is an exciting year for Clia as we implement the association’s new global structure.
“Putting the right talent in place is critical as we focus on delivering enhanced value to the global cruise industry while representing it internationally with one voice before numerous stakeholders.
“The appointments are strong additions to the Clia team, and we look forward to their contributions as we build on the value we deliver to our members and partners.”