Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

1 0 7 INTERV IEW The best way to travel the world Rebecca Gibson asks Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association, how the cruise industry will evolve in 2020 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicts that nearly 32 million people will take a cruise in 2020, marking a rise from around 30 million in 2019. What is driving this year-on- year growth? Cruising is the best way to experience the world. Not only are cruises affordable for a broad range of travellers, but they also provide an easy option for people who want to explore multiple destinations without the stress of organising hotels and transportation. Going on a cruise is a unique transformational experience because it connects travellers with local people and different cultures, providing them with multiple opportunities for personal growth and allowing them to develop a greater understanding of the world. How do you expect the industry to evolve in 2020? Cruise lines will be debuting new vessels, introducing exciting onboard innovations and taking guests on more varied and adventurous itineraries to new destinations worldwide, so we expect growth to continue long into the future. The newer luxury, expedition and river segments will likely see the most growth. Another exciting trend will be that passenger demographics will continue to change. According to our 2020 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report, more than 66% of Generation X and 71% of millennials now have a positive view of cruising, compared to just two years ago. This is because cruise lines now understand and cater to their desire for experiential travel. More multigenerational groups are also taking cruises. I know from first-hand experience that a cruise is the best way for families to vacation together because there’s something for everyone – from children to grandparents. What are CLIA’s top priorities for the year ahead? We’ve now entered an era where cruising has become a mainstream vacation option, so CLIA and its members will continue to do everything we can to develop best practices in five key areas: environmental sustainability, destination stewardship, safety and security, workforce development, and economic and social impact. Protecting the oceans and the destinations we visit is one of our core