Trade Associations CLIA and ICCL to Merge

June 16, 2006

Trade Associations CLIA and ICCL to Merge
June 16, 2006 – Yesterday, Cruise Lines International Association and the International Council of Cruise Lines announced that they will merge. Citing continued growth in the industry and cruising’s ever widening share of the leisure travel market, they will now form an expanded organization representing major cruise lines and more than 17,000 travel agents selling cruises. The merged organization will continue to be called CLIA, and, after a transition period, is expected to move its headquarters to Miami.

According to a news release, current CLIA President Terry Dale will lead association as President and CEO.

"The synergy and shared energy, skill and experience created by this merger will help us immeasurably in broadening and strengthening our support of both our cruise line and travel agency members and communicating the benefits and value of a cruise," said Andy Stuart, CLIA Chairman and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger Services.

The merger was the outcome of an independent study commissioned by the industry, which recommended that a combined operation would be more effective and efficient in accomplishing both organizations’ goals.

"As the cruise industry continues to grow as a global force in the international travel market, it becomes increasingly important that the industry speak with one strong, clear voice," said Richard D. Fain, ICCL Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "This merger is a logical next step for our industry."

"The objective is not to make a smaller trade group, it’s to make a more effective trade group," said Fain. "It’s not a money-saving exercise, it’s an exercise to make us more successful in providing services to our constituency of travel agents, cruise lines and consumers."

The expanded structure will incorporate the existing functions of both the CLIA and ICCL organizations, including agent training, education and research; marketing; consumer and public education; industry and government relations; issues management; safety and environment; and public health. Staff from both groups will manage the combined operation.

"With the combined resources of both organizations, our job of promoting cruising will be considerably easier," said Dale. "We also have the opportunity to significantly enhance our ability to serve the travel-agent community, consumers and the cruise industry."

For more information, visit CLIA’s site at http://www.cruising.org/ or ICCL’s at http://www.iccl.org/.