Interview: CLIA’s Acting CEO on Why Travel Agents Matter to Cruisers

After a couple of years filled with ship-related disasters and scrutiny from lawmakers and press, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) had finally emerged from full-time crisis mode a little more than a year ago. But then former CEO Christine Duffy announced she was leaving to join Carnival Cruise Line as president in December of 2014. An extensive search led to Coast Guard veteran Thomas Ostebo, who took the helm of the industry group in July. He left a month later for undisclosed personal reasons. Cindy D'Aoust, who joined CLIA as executive vice president of membership and operations in December 2014, became acting CEO of the global organization after Ostebo's departure. She had previously been chief operating officer at Meetings Professional International. Despite the hectic nature of the past year, D'Aoust said she was pleased with progress that CLIA has made and is charging ahead with priorities for the new year. She spoke to Skift recently at a press ev