Cruise Lines International Association’s annual Cruise Month campaign is to go global in the autumn.
The October promotional activity will become a global initiative, expanding upon previous year’s individual efforts from Clia offices around the world.
Cruise Month will be marked throughout North America, Australasia and Europe, with tailored efforts to meet the needs of each market.
While the focus is on raising consumer awareness of cruise travel, it also is designed to highlight Clia certified travel agents as the best way to book a cruise as well as providing the trade with the tools and resources to promote cruise bookings.
Clia president and chief executive Cindy D’Aoust said: “As the cruise industry continues to grow globally, the opportunity to expand Cruise Month internationally was a natural progression as we strive to raise consumer awareness about the unlimited choices cruising offers for every type of traveller.
“While each region will create programmes specific to their market, the Cruise Month brand will be used globally with the overall objectives to promote cruise travel, bring resources and tools to our travel agent community, and shine a spotlight on the global cruise industry.”
She added: “Travel agents play a vital role to the cruise industry as internationally more than 75% of cruises are reserved using a travel agent, therefore travel agent support and engagement is vital to the success of the Cruise Month.
“The campaign provides a perfect platform for travel agents, cruise lines and industry partners to showcase that there is a cruise for every style and budget, and increase the number of people who take a cruise holiday.”