CLIA UK & Ireland will be holding its first ever expedition cruise event in 2019 following a significant rise in demand for adventure cruising.
The all-day event on 28 March will include trends, talks and commentary from experts both inside and outside the industry.
Crystal Endeavor is one of 15 new adventure ships setting sail by 2020
CLIA is also forming an expedition working group, to be chaired by Silversea’s UK managing director, Peter Shanks. Cruise line members will include Celebrity Cruises, Aurora Expeditions, Ponant, Silversea, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Crystal Cruises.
The demand for expedition cruises has risen significantly over recent years. In 2019, ten new expedition and adventure ships are due for delivery, with a further five in 2020.
Expedition lines are also diversifying their cruise itineraries and offering more choice, with an increasing number of ships visiting destinations such as Iceland, Greenland and the Galapagos.
Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said: “As travel agents see more requests from their customers for adventure voyages, it’s important that they can feel knowledgeable and confident in selling these types of cruises.”
