CLIA and Visit Tampa Bay announce events partnership

Monday, Feb 27, 2023 0

Cruise Lines International Association UK and Ireland (CLIA) has confirmed that Visit Tampa Bay will sponsor two of its key 2023 events.

Visit Tampa Bay is a not-for-profit corporation that works with hundreds of partners across the destination to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay, the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Port Tampa Bay, Florida, is home to three of the largest cruise lines – Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean – and is a gateway to the Caribbean and Mexico.

Visit Tampa Bay will sponsor the CLIA Conference and CLIA Cruise Forum.

CLIA Conference is taking place from May 12-14 in Southampton. The conference remains the largest annual travel agent event of its kind in the UK. Around 700 industry colleagues will attend, and it includes ship visits, daily conference sessions, a celebratory dinner, and a trade fair, where Visit Tampa Bay will exhibit.

The Cruise Forum is a key event in the travel calendar, offering a one-day seminar and networking opportunities for senior travel agents, agency managers and owners, business executives and media. It will take place in December this year.

Visit Tampa Bay delegates will join both events, and the brand will be displayed across associated assets and online platforms. The brand will gain further exposure via marketing communications and the industry body’s website, cruising.org, on a dedicated web page for port and destination partners.

“Visit Tampa Bay is proud to be partnering with the CLIA. This is a new initiative for us, and we are thrilled to be on this journey to highlight our terrific offering to the UK and Irish cruise market,” says Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “From our selection of world-class hotels to stand-out restaurants recognised by the MICHELIN Guide, a wide range of attractions, the central location of Port Tampa in the heart of our downtown and Tampa International Airport being only minutes away, we know Tampa Bay offers everything a cruise passenger is looking for.”

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Visit Tampa Bay as a partner organisation. The area is a vital cruise hub, enjoyed by millions of travellers every year, and we look forward to further enhancing their profile across the UK and Ireland.”

Visitors are encouraged to unlock Tampa Bay’s many treasures, where the hospitality is as warm as the weather and everyone can discover blue skies and sunshine, sparkling waterfronts, world-class chefs, family fun and a century of Cuban culture – all with an active yet relaxing vibe that is authentically Tampa Bay.

For more information on CLIA, go to cruising.org

For more information on Tampa Bay, go to www.visittampabay.com