CLIA's Cruise Forward Summit airs critical industry issues

Decarbonization, sustainable supply chains, destination stewardship, AI and accessibility were among the topics aired at Cruise Lines International Association's Cruise Forward Summit, which stressed partnership to address critical industry issues.

More than 400 stakeholders, including government and tourism representatives, partners and suppliers, port and destination leaders from around the world, joined top cruise line executives at the annual event in Miami.

CLIA President/CEO Kelly Craighead announced the association's 2023 Global Economic Impact Study revealing the highest-ever economic impact from cruising to the global economy at $168.6b, 9% more than in 2019. The industry also supported 1.6m jobs, 37% above 2019.

34.7m cruisers forecast in 2024

Craighead also projected a positive outlook for cruising, with 34.7m people forecast to sail globally in 2024, up from 2023's 31.7m and well more than the pre-pandemic 29.7m in 2019.

40m cruisers by 2027?

'By 2027, we expect to see 40 million passengers enjoying a cruise holiday, with the majority of growth driven by the new-to-cruise market. This increased demand will be supported by $63 billion invested in new ships through the end of 2036,' Craighead said.

New responsible tourism publication

Related:Cruising generates record $168.6b global economic impact

Also debuting at Cruise Forward was CLIA’s 'Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism' publication, which identifies sustainable development goals and offers a framework for ongoing cooperation and joint activities among the cruise sector, ports and destinations. 

Partnership across the broader cruise ecosystem was a key message throughout Cruise Forward, with an emphasis on the collaboration needed to address critical issues.

Craigheld held an armchair discussion with CLIA Global Chair Jason Liberty, president/CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, on where cruising is headed, the importance of working together to achieve decarbonization goals, distributing cruising's economic benefits to more destinations and managing tourism growth responsibly.

From left, NCLH's Harry Sommer, CLIA Global Chair/Royal Caribbean Group's Jason Liberty, CLIA's Kelly Craighead, Carnival Corp. & plc's Josh Weinstein PHOTO: CLIA

Further CLIA Global Executive Committee members on hand were Josh Weinstein, president/CEO, Carnival Corp. & plc, and Harry Sommer, president/CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Other cruise line leaders attending included Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO Azamara Cruises; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line; Laura Hodges Bethge, president, Celebrity Cruises; Ken Muskat, managing director, Scenic Group USA (Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours); Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line; Rick Sasso, chairman, MSC Cruises USA; Lynn Torrent, incoming president, MSC Cruises USA; David Herrera, president, Norwegian Cruise Line; Sam Chamberlain, CEO Americas, Ponant; John Padgett, president, Princess Cruises; Michael Bayley, president/CEO, Royal Caribbean International; and Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea Cruises.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon, at right, with, from left, Juneau's Alexandra Pierce, Port Saint John's Natalie Allaby and Kelly Craighead PHOTO: CLIA

Among the destination and tourism leaders were Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and, from the US Department of Commercie, Brian Beall, director, National Travel and Tourism Office, and Eduardo Torres, director, commercial service.

The decarbonization panel, from left, Jeff Navin, co-founder & partner, Boundary Stone; CLIA's Donnie Brown, SVP maritime policy; Jennifer Garson, SVP, Boundary Stone; Maikel Arts, head of cruise, Wärtsilä; and Bill Burke, chief maritime officer, Carnival Corp. & plc PHOTO: CLIA

Decarbonization

Sessions included 'A Deep Dive into Decarbonization' (innovative engine technologies, shore power, the need for sustainable fuels and the regulatory requirements/incentives needed to attract public financing for infrastructure supporting sustainable energy) and 'Navigating a Successful Energy Transition in Cruising' (challenges and opportunities transitioning to sustainable fuels, practices including emerging technologies, engaging governments and innovative energy options on the horizon).

A working group at the Cruise Forward Summit PHOTO: CLIA

Supply chains and destination stewardship

Further panels focused on 'Charting the Course for Sustainable Cruise Supply Chains' (evolving regulations and innovative strategies) and

'Destination Stewardship: Aligning Vision with Action for Balanced Tourism' (collaborative approaches among cruise lines, local authorities and communities to create successful stewardship initiatives).

'Gen AI + The Personalization of the Travel Experience,' a Tripadvisor case study, looked at leveraging AI to help facilitate travel decisions, enable personalized travel planning at scale simplify the booking process and create better customer experiences.

John Sage of Sage Inclusion discusses accessible travel concepts onboard and ashore PHOTO: CLIA

And 'Accessible Cruising: How to Succeed in an Overlooked Demographic ' discussed accessible travel concepts onboard and ashore, and how to increase revenue in a demographic that makes up 20% of the population.

One-to-one meetings, product pitches

CLIA's Cruise Forward also offered a forum for ports and destinations to connect with cruise lines in one-to-one meetings, and a chief procurement officers panel gave 15 companies the chance to present their products and services to industry buyers.

The conference wrapped up with hosted ship tours on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, Carnival Conquest and Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady.