JOEL KATZ, Cruise Lines International Association managing director in Australasia, looks at what will unfold for the cruise industry in 2025. His column is the first of several from travel trade industry leaders being published by Travel Weekly over the coming weeks.
What trends will dominate your industry in 2025?
Several clear trends will continue including the growing demand for expedition cruising. Another is luxury cruising, where there is a huge appetite for high-end ships. We are seeing more premium ships with luxury ship-within-a-ship concepts. Other lines are creating new elevated dining concepts, or more immersive on-shore experiences.
When you combine these trends with increasing interest from new-to-cruise guests and younger cruisers, the opportunities for travel agents are very positive.
What do you expect to happen in 2025, specifically relating to your industry?
Forecasts show more than 37 million people will sail worldwide this year, a new high. In response, cruise lines are making huge investments in new ships, new technologies and new levels of style and design. We will see more than a dozen spectacular new ships launching in 2025.
We will also see a continuing evolution in sustainability initiatives, as cruise lines pioneer the new fuels and propulsion systems that will take them towards their net-zero emissions goals.
What do want to happen in 2025?
CLIA is driving an important advocacy agenda in this region, aimed at achieving a more positive operating environment for cruising. We’d like to see governments create the right settings to attract more ship deployment in our region and help us increase the value of cruise tourism, which is already worth more than $8 billion a year to the Australian economy.
What major association initiatives do you have planned for 2025?
Education will be a key focus for our travel agent members. Our CLIA LIVE program is going to more cities than ever and our flagship Cruise360 Australasia conference will expand to two days in Brisbane this August, as we grow our program of professional development opportunities.
What are your personal goals for 2025?
In 2025, I’m focused on enhancing travel agent engagement in CLIA’s educational opportunities. I will also be advocating for stronger government support to highlight cruise tourism’s economic importance, fostering industry growth and investment to encourage greater cruise ship deployment in the Australasia region.
