Quark Expeditions has officially become a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest trade association in the cruise industry worldwide. This global membership highlights the increasing significance of small-ship expedition cruising within the industry, as stated by CLIA President and CEO, Kelly Craighead.
“Quark Expeditions has been a pioneer in expedition cruising for more than 30 years, taking guests to the Arctic, Antarctic and other remote destinations,” Craighead said.
“Small-ship expedition cruising is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of cruising’s growth, so we’re delighted to have Quark Expeditions join our global community at a time when there’s so much energy and innovation in the sector.”
CLIA represents a significant portion of the world's ocean-going cruise capacity, including 95 percent of it, as well as a network of 65,000 global travel agents and 15,000 of the world's largest travel agencies. The association encompasses a wide array of ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, including some of the most prestigious names in the industry.
Quark Expeditions has recently made strategic changes within its sales organization, emphasizing the importance of trade sales in its global growth strategy. Beth Mercier has been promoted to the role of Senior Director of Global Partnership Sales to lead efforts in establishing and strengthening worldwide relationships. Additionally, Becky Francis has joined the company as Regional Sales Director, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). These moves reflect Quark's commitment to enhancing its presence and relationships within the travel trade sector.