CLIA Global Welcomes New Top Managers

Announcements include new Secretary Generals in Europe and Brazil

News provided by

Cruise Lines International Association

Nov 12, 2014, 12:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) President and CEO Christine Duffy made several personnel announcements at the opening session of the organization's Leadership Forum in Miami today.

The new Secretary General of CLIA Europe will be Dr. Raphael von Heereman, a seasoned airline and travel executive, who joins CLIA from Qatar Airways, where he has served as Vice President, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Heereman will begin his work with CLIA on February 15, 2015.

"Raphael's wealth of international experience and deep understanding of regulatory affairs will be a powerful asset for CLIA Members," said Duffy. "As Rob Ashdown steps down from his service as CLIA Europe's Secretary General at the end of January 2015, I want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to making CLIA Europe an effective voice for the cruise industry."

In Brazil, Mr. Marco Ferraz has been appointed Secretary General of CLIA-ABREMAR effective December 1. Mr. Ferraz is a Director of tour operator Monark, and has additionally served for the past few years as president of Braztoa, the Brazilian Association of Tourism Operators.

"In addition to his tourism industry experience, Marco has valuable skills in communications, government relations, and engaging and leading multiple stakeholders," said Duffy. "I look forward to working with him to expand the cruise industry's presence in Brazil."

In addition to creating a unified voice for the cruise industry through CLIA offices around the world, CLIA continually focuses on deepening its functional expertise to better serve the cruise industry. In that regard, Alison Powers has joined CLIA as Director of Research, bringing in-depth professional experience in research and the travel industry. CLIA Members will help guide the association's research strategy via a newly-established CLIA Research Committee.

"The new research function that Alison leads will support all of CLIA's efforts and bring additional value to our Members as we promote the value of cruising, advocate for legal and regulatory environments that facilitate further growth, and tell the positive story of our industry through evidence-based research," said Duffy.

Didier Scaillet, Vice President for Business Development, will transition out of his role with CLIA at the end of the year. Said Duffy, "I'm grateful for Didier's contributions to help guide CLIA's evolution into a global organization—aligning Executive Partner membership programs, establishing the Global Ports Committee, and consolidating research activities globally."

The past decade has seen a 77 percent increase in the popularity of cruising, to a record 21.3 passengers worldwide in 2013. On a global basis, the cruise industry was responsible last year for $117 billion in total spending that supported more than 891,000 jobs paying over $38 billion in wages.

About CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members.

For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association