Clia has announced plans for two additional overseas trade events this year.
The association will run a destination showcase from September 15-17 in Gibraltar, featuring business sessions, tours and excursions and ship visits on Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Azamara Quest.
The event will be held in partnership with Visit Gibraltar which will provide agent rates for hotel accommodation.
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From October 24-26, Clia will host a new event, called the Clia Weekender, in Barcelona, where agents will have the opportunity to visit ships that do not typically sail to UK ports.
Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, MSC World Europe, Explora II and Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star will be available for tours.
Managing director for the UK & Ireland Andy Harmer announced the additions during this year’s Clia conference in Southampton, which is thelargest in its history and is being attended by 850 delegates.
“These two events will give agents the ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in renowned destinations and a range of fantastic ships,” he said.
“We’ve already heard today that demand for every type of cruise continues to increase, so our destination showcase and Clia Weekender will provide more opportunities to gain the invaluable first-hand insight we know is so compelling when selling cruise.”
Gibraltar’s minister for tourism Christian Santos said: “The Visit Gibraltar team at the Gibraltar tourism board and I look forward to welcoming Clia to Gibraltar to host their destination showcase in September.
“As minister for tourism, I am excited to present the rock to professionals in the cruise industry so they can appreciate first-hand what we have to offer that makes Gibraltar a must-visit destination.”