Princess Cruises Joins Asia Cruise Association as Newest Member

The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) welcomes another major cruise company Princess Cruises as its newest member, alongside its founding members Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Star Cruises. The ACA’s latest expansion which follows the recent naming of its office bearers in January, is a boost to its ongoing membership drive and development.

ACA Chairman Rama Rebbapragada said, “The ACA, as the largest cruise association dedicated to the cruise industry’s promotion and growth in Asia, welcomes all cruise operators and stakeholders to join us. We are pleased to have Princess Cruises as our newest member, which has been active in this market for several decades with their marketing and deployment. Its membership strengthens our position as a platform for our members to engage one another on cruise matters. Being one of the leading cruise operators in Asia, Princess Cruises will be one of the voices we want to hear in serving our members’ needs effectively.”

“Princess Cruises is happy to be part of the ACA as we recognise the important role that the Association can play in the development of the cruise industry in Asia, which has tremendous growth potential. We look forward to working closely with ACA in its professional and commercial development as well as promotion of cruise tourism industry within Asia,” said Trey Hickey, Vice President, International Sales & Marketing of Princess Cruises.

On the professional development of the cruise industry, the ACA Board of Directors has identified training as one of its key priorities for the Association in Year 2010. The training aims to broaden the cruise industry’s reach into Asia by enhancing cruise product knowledge among the cruise distribution network. Training, seminars and accreditation programmes are being developed for agents and other distribution partners to enhance cruise marketing, such as improving customer engagement techniques and customizing cruise products to suit passengers. The training and accreditation programme are one of the benefits that the ACA will be providing to its members.

The ACA is now inviting cruise industry stakeholders to join the Association as members. Its ordinary membership is for firms or corporations that operate cruise lines in the Asia region, and its associate membership is for businesses or corporations such as tourism boards, ground handlers, ship chandlers and suppliers, ship services and repair, port authorities, port agents, and travel agents.