Above: (from left): Kylie Crouch (First Travel Group), Sian Loh (You Travel Bethlehem), Marita Nosic (CLIA), Catherine Membery (You Travel Bethlehem) and Sarah Clarke (HCB Travel).
Being held over two days, the sold-out seminar brings together representatives from more than two dozen of the world’s ocean, river and expedition cruise lines.
Each will provide insight into their latest initiatives and product developments, giving CLIA travel agents a chance to learn from multiple cruise lines at the one event.
More than 700 tickets have been booked for this year’s CLIA LIVE program across Australia and New Zealand, which will also visit Auckland in May.
Other events are being held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, the Gold Coast, and Sydney, as part of the largest CLIA LIVE program ever offered.
Marita Nosic, CLIA Australasia Director of Membership & Events, said the expansion of CLIA LIVE to Christchurch reflected a growing focus on cruise among New Zealand travel agents.
“Our CLIA LIVE events in Auckland have always sold out quickly and have attracted travel agents from all over New Zealand,” said Ms Nosic.
“The event has grown to the point where we can now offer in-person training in Christchurch too and we’ve had a fantastic response from travel agents not only in Canterbury but also from many other parts of the South Island.
“The opportunities in cruising right now are greater than they’ve ever been, so there’s a huge appetite among travel agents to learn more about each distinct cruise brand and what it offers for Kiwi travellers.”
This year’s CLIA LIVE program has the theme “Connecting Travellers to their Perfect Cruise Holiday”, giving agents a deeper understanding of how to match clients with their ideal cruise, based on their personal preferences, budget and travelling style.
Exclusive to CLIA members, the events are aimed at both new-to-cruise travel agents as well as experienced cruise specialists looking to update their knowledge.
See CLIA LIVE for the full schedule.
