Abel signs on for another three years
THE Australian Cruise Association (ACA) last month voted to extend the contract of its CEO Jill Abel for another three years.
Abel has been with the prominent industry body since 2005 and during her tenure as CEO memberships for ACA have doubled.
“Jill has done an outstanding job in this critically important role and during her 14 years with the Association has shown incredible leadership to help grow the cruise industry in Australia” said ACA’s Chair Grant Gilfillan.
Abel has also worked hard to boost important collaboration projects in the Australian cruise market, recently overseeing the signing of a MOU with CLIA Australasia to compile joint Economic Impact Assessments and Sustainability Reports.
MSC reshuffles top brass
MSC Cruises has revealed a new leadership structure which has seen Alessandro Guerreri appointed as the company’s new Managing Director Australasia and Lynne Clarke step into the newly created role of Chairman Australasia.
Guerreri has relocated to the local office from MSC Cruises’ headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
“The appointment of a member of the company’s senior management team from Geneva to lead MSC Cruises’ business across Australia and New Zealand is meant to support creating an ever-stronger link between MSC Cruises’ central functions and the local market,” said MSC Cruises VP of Global Sales, Achille Staiano.
CLIA condemns cruise tax
CLIA Australasia was fervent in its condemnation of a planned government Biosecurity Imports Levy which could adversely affect Australia’s cruise industry from as early as July. The Australian Federal Government have tweaked a proposal that originally targeted the sea freight sector to encompass the cruise industry.
“Extending this new tax to the cruise industry has come as a complete surprise and without proper consultation,” said CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz.
CLIA has called upon the Australian Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, to rule out any additional levy on cruising.
