CLIA Joins the Visitor Economy Advisory Council
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading global trade association representing the cruise industry, has been officially included in the Visitor Economy Advisory Council, the UK Government’s advisory body for the tourism economy.
This council serves as a key point of dialogue between the tourism industry and UK Government Ministers, providing strategic guidance and support for tourism planning. The inclusion of CLIA marks a significant milestone for the cruise industry, as it secures direct representation in a national institutional forum dedicated to tourism for the first time.
CLIA’s appointment to the Council underscores the recognition of the cruise sector’s vital role in the UK’s tourism economy. Each year, more than 2 million Britons choose to take a cruise for their holidays, generating substantial economic impact across outbound, inbound, and domestic tourism.
Andy-Harmer
The Visitor Economy Advisory Council will work closely with Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Arts, Creative Industries and Tourism, to develop strategies and policies aimed at enhancing and strengthening the UK’s tourism sector.
Representing CLIA on the Council will be Andy Harmer OBE, Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, who expressed his satisfaction with the Government’s recognition of the cruise industry as an integral part of the UK’s tourism offering. He emphasized the crucial role cruises play in outbound, inbound, and domestic tourism, contributing significantly to economic growth. He also highlighted CLIA’s commitment to sharing its expertise in tourism planning, responsible tourism, and innovation, as well as advocating for the invaluable contribution of the travel agent community.
The Council will focus on several key areas for tourism development and growth. Among its main priorities will be the formulation of strategies for inbound and outbound tourism, with the ambitious goal of attracting 50 million international visitors to the UK annually by 2030. Another core objective will be optimizing domestic tourism, ensuring a more balanced distribution of visitor flows and promoting lesser-visited coastal communities that are often overlooked in traditional tourist circuits. Finally, there will be a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, particularly in maritime tourism and cruising, which are recognized as key elements of a more responsible and forward-thinking tourism sector.
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CLIA’s inclusion in the Visitor Economy Advisory Council represents a significant step forward for the cruise industry, ensuring it has a direct voice in discussions shaping the future of UK tourism policy.
This collaboration will strengthen the role of cruising within the national tourism economy, highlighting its economic and employment contributions, while ensuring that the needs of the cruise sector are appropriately represented in future government strategies.
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