NCL’s Ben Angell new chairman of CLIA Australasia

Angell leads an executive committee made up of Stuart Allison (SVP Asia Pacific, UK & Europe for Princess Cruises), Sarina Bratton (Ponant chairman Asia Pacific), Lynne Clarke (MSC Cruises Australia chairman), Marguerite Fitzgerald (president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia), Andrew Millmore (executive chairman of Travel the World, representing Windstar and Virgin Voyages), Steve Odell (SVP and MD Asia Pacific for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises) and outgoing chairman Gavin Smith (VP and MD Australasia for Royal Caribbean Group).

‘Unprecedented times’

Joel Katz, MD of CLIA Australasia, paid tribute to Smith for his work as chairman through ‘unprecedented times.’

Katz said Smith’s chairmanship had spanned ‘the most difficult period in our history’ and said he had been ‘an invaluable part of the industry’s response to the pandemic.’

Important stewardship

He said Angell will provide ‘important stewardship’ as the industry works to strengthen its recovery.

‘Cruising injects significant investment into our local economies, while supporting communities and jobs, and I look forward to working closely with CLIA and our partners in the industry as we drive towards a future that is brighter than ever,’ Angell said.