Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, addressed the cruise line elite this week at industry title Travel Weekly’s invitation-only dinner on the eve of the CLIA Annual Conference in Southampton.

The Cruise Leaders Dinner has become an annually calendared event and has been supported by the Gibraltar Tourist Board since its inception three years ago. Among those attending were C-suite executives based both in the UK and USA. These included Katie McAlistair, President Cunard, Mark Tamis, President Seabourn Cruise Line, Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO Azamara Cruises, in addition to the U.K. Managing Directors of Ambassador Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Marella Cruises and Silversea.

During his welcome speech and presentation, Minister Santos was able to illustrate the sustainable development of Gibraltar’s leading attractions as potential future extensions to existing onshore excursions, while emphasising Gibraltar’s commitment to this sector in a responsibly managed environment.

Supporting Minister Santos were Tracey Poggio, Gibraltar Tourist Board UK Head and Adriana Lopez, Media & Marketing Executive, who participated in the three day conference and showcase attended by CLIA’s largest attendee list to date of 850 travel agents.

Speaking at the close of the week, Minister Santos said: “This event has become an important marketing opportunity for Gibraltar to develop its relationships across our cruise industry partners. It is an opportunity to deliver at first hand the great strides Gibraltar is taking in its marketing and infrastructure to remain a growing and leading Mediterranean Port. It was reassuring to receive such heartening feedback on the night from key figures in this valuable community.”

Photo Credit: Steve Dunlop Photographer

Pictured with Minister Santos, Left to right …

• Andy Harmer, Managing Director CLIA
• Victoria Sanders, Director of Travel News UK
• Nicki Goldsmith, Director of Agency Sales, Virgin Atlantic
• Lucy Huxley, Travel Weekly, Editor-in-Chief