Cruise Baltic director Bo Larsen is joining the Cruise Lines International Association in the new position of director of port engagement and business development.
The appointment comes as the cruise trade body creates a global ports committee and regional groups in the Americas, Australasia and Asia in addition to a committee already operating in Europe.
Ports will now have increased opportunities to engage with Clia member lines through the newly established structure.
The global ports committee, chaired by Giora Israel of Carnival Corporation, includes Tom Spina of Norwegian Cruise Line, Gianluca Suprani of MSC Cruises and John Tercek of Royal Caribbean Cruises.
The committee will serve as a forum where cruise lines and ports can discuss issues and help to more fully integrate port development and operations within the larger cruise industry.
Larsen, who joins on March 1, will initially have responsibility as the staff liaison to the regional ports committee in Europe and executive partner business development for Northern Europe.
He will support Didier Scaillet, Clia global vice president of business development, who serves as the staff liaison to the global ports committee and leads the association’s global business development activities.
Clia Europe chairman and MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Bo’s strong background in cruise port development, international sales and marketing expertise, strong relationships with port representatives, and success growing the cruise industry’s presence in Copenhagen and the Baltic region make him an ideal fit to represent Clia in this important new position.”