International lineup for CLIA Australasia’s virtual Cruise360International lineup for CLIA Australasia’s virtual Cruise360

As reported here, this year’s Cruise360, which was scheduled for Sydney on August 27, was cancelled for the second year in a row due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.  

Sydney’s lockdown, which began June 26, will continue until at least August 28.

Global speakers

CLIA Global President and CEO Kelly Craighead heads up an impressive lineup of speakers for the Virtual Cruise Forum, including Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises; Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s president & CEO; Jason Montague, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ president & CEO; Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic; Annie Chang, director cruise development, Singapore Tourism Board; Gavin Smith, CLIA Australasia chairman and Royal Caribbean’s vice president & managing director Australia and New Zealand; Sture Myrmell, CLIA advocacy committee chairman and president of Carnival Australia; Sarina Bratton, Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions’ chairman Asia Pacific; and Michael Londregan, Virtuoso senior vice president global operations.  

CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said the Virtual Cruise Forum, which will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. AEST (noon to 6 p.m. NZST), is open to all CLIA Australasia and Asia members at no charge.

Panel discussions

Katz said the Virtual Cruise Forum will feature panel discussions and interviews and other speakers will be announced shortly.

‘At a critical time for our industry, this online forum will give travel agents valuable insight that will help ensure they benefit from cruising’s recovery,’ he said.