CLIA Expands Into Spain

CLIA Europe’s Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, announced the establishment of CLIA Spain at the International Cruise Summit 2013 in Madrid. The new national association will be headquartered in Madrid and will be chaired by Belen Wangüemert, the General Manager in Spain and France for Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.  The association will be managed by Alfredo Serrano, CLIA Spain’s new National Director. This follows CLIA’s expansion of resources in Europe this year and CLIA Spain joins CLIA Germany, CLIA UK & Ireland, CLIA France, CLIA Netherlands, and CLIA Belgium & Luxembourg as the thirteenth association operating under CLIA’s newly established global structure.

“I am very pleased to announce the establishment of CLIA Spain as the newest member of the CLIA family,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of CLIA Europe, in his keynote speech at the International Cruise Summit. “With the establishment of a Spanish national association, the industry can better support its members locally and ensure they benefit from CLIA’s global programs in the fourth largest cruise market in Europe. Last year 576,000 Spaniards booked a cruise holiday, and 1.2 million passengers embarked on a cruise ship from a Spanish port. We affirm our support and commitment to a country that has been, is, and no doubt, will continue to be of vital importance to our future.”

Christine Duffy, President & CEO of CLIA, said: “Spain is one of the most popular destinations for cruise passengers and it is an important, growing source market for the industry. We are firmly committed to Spain and look forward to continued market growth there and throughout Europe.” 

Robert Ashdown, Secretary General of CLIA Europe explained the decision to expand CLIA’s network to Spain by reaffirming the industry’s commitment to the Spanish market: “With CLIA’s expansion to the Spanish market, our network in Europe is now more consolidated than ever before. While the last few years have been challenging for Europe’s cruising industry, we have consistently achieved record growth. CLIA Europe’s integrated network will allow us to further unify the industry under one voice in order to continue addressing common challenges together and positioning the industry for future successes.”

CLIA Spain’s Leadership Council will be led by Wangüemert; Emiliano Gonzalez, General Manager of MSC Cruises in Spain, as Vice Chairman; and Alfredo Serrano, as National Director. As part of CLIA’s unified structure, along with Spanish cruise lines, all relevant European regional and global association members will have membership on CLIA Spain’s Leadership Council. The CLIA Europe Secretary General will also take part.