18(a) Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD

Prototypical answer:

Cruise Lines International Association Inc. (referred to as ‘CLIA’ hereafter) is the worldʹs largest cruise association. CLIA’s primary mission is to promote policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy cruise ship environment for the millions of passengers and crew who sail with CLIA member cruise lines every year. Further, the mission includes promoting and articulating the value, desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience.

CLIA operates pursuant to an agreement filed with the Federal Maritime Commission under the Shipping Act of 1984. It serves as a non-governmental consultative organization to the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations.

To fulfil its mission, CLIA works closely with maritime regulators to ensure that the highest operating standards are applied in the industry. CLIA regularly works with law makers to advance passenger safety. And – perhaps most importantly – CLIA works with all its members through more than 25 committees, working groups and task forces to identify and promote best practices throughout the industry.

For organizations which are affiliated with CLIA through membership or other partnerships, for the cruise vacationing consumer, and for the public as a whole, CLIA serves as the voice of the industry and is the central communications entity for the global cruise community.

Members

CLIA’s membership is composed of an affiliation of 26 of the major cruise lines and more than 13,000 travel agencies and individual agents. A third of the membership population are executive partners, composed of industry suppliers, cruise-related organizations, ports and shipyards.

Cruise Line Members

Since 2000, the number of passengers welcomed aboard CLIA member ships has increased by more than 125%, from 7.2 million in 2000 to more than 16.3 million in 2011. During that time CLIA member cruise lines added 143 new ships. Thirteen new ships were added in 2011 alone.

At the same time, consumer demand for cruising has been rising rapidly. In 2010, CLIA member ships sailed at 103% capacity. To meet the demand by travellers seeking a cruise experience, CLIA’s members⁄affiliates are investing more than $10 billion between 2012 and 2015 to bring new ships on line.

In 2012, 14 new ships will be introduced. By 2015, 25 new ships will join the CLIA member fleet, creating a total size of 231 ships with a capacity of 361,000 passengers.
Another characteristic of the industry over the past decade has been the increasing globalization of cruising. A few statistics capture this important trend.

In 2000, only about 9% of CLIA member passengers came from outside North America. By 2010, the percentage of passengers from outside North America tripled to 27%. Globalization has also brought about a significant shift in ship deployments as cruise lines evolve to meet the expectations of new international travellers. Over the past five years, deployment to the Mediterranean increased by nearly 110%, while deployment to ports in Australia and New Zealand increased by more than 100%.

The growth of cruising provides economic benefits that extend far beyond CLIA cruise line members. Cruise ports are evolving and investing to build new infrastructure to support the industry. Expansion projects are underway in Charleston, South Carolina, New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, Panama and Oslo. Entirely new ports have been built in places such as Portland, Maine, Falmouth, Jamaica and Singapore.

CLIA member lines and the industry continue to push to improve environmental sustainability. CLIA members⁄affiliates have been at the forefront of wastewater treatment and emissions reduction, developing responsible practices and new technologies to protect marine environments.

Travel Agency Members

The more than 13,000 travel agency members range from sole proprietors to small and medium local businesses, to large, global agencies. CLIA’s mission includes educating these affiliates to ensure a high level of quality service is provided to the traveling public. CLIA-affiliated agencies display the CLIA seal, which identifies them as authorities on selling cruise vacations.

Travel agents are the primary distribution channel for cruise lines, with more than 68% of cruise trips being booked through agents. As cruising continues to grow globally, jobs will be created for new agents around the world. And, they will require quality education along with a central repository of best practices and industry information, 24⁄7. CLIA will play a significant role in this endeavor.

Executive Partner Members

More than 100 of the most innovative suppliers of goods and services to the cruise industry make up CLIAʹs Executive Partner program. The program fosters strategic relationships between key cruise industry suppliers, cruise-related organizations, ports, shipyards and the cruise lines. It also provides a central point of communications, collaboration and dissemination of best practices for these industry entities. CLIA is the platform for interaction with critical governmental agencies such as U.S. Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, environmental agencies, and branches of the military such as the U.S. Coast Guard.

Consumers

CLIA cruise line members offer millions of individuals, families, and groups a unique means of exploring and connecting with the world. Member lines offer river and ocean cruises to the world’s great ports and coastal destinations plus shore excursions which further expand the travel experience.

Cruise travel offers an array of vacation options, including recreation, relaxation, adventure, entertainment, dining, health, and fitness – in a safe, convenient, and affordable environment. Cultural and educational options also abound with seminars, speakers and workshops offered on a vast range of topics.

For the experienced cruise consumer, and the consumers new to, or interested in learning more about cruising, CLIA acts a trusted central informational resource.


CLIA History

CLIA was formed in 1975 in response to a need for an association to promote the special benefits of cruising . In 2006, it merged with the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), a sibling entity created in 1990 dedicated to participating in the regulatory and policy development process of the cruise industry.

Prior to its 2006 merger with ICCL, CLIA became the principal external marketing organization for its member lines in 1984 following the consolidation of several other industry organizations into CLIA.

The .Cruise registry will be a standard registry. Its purpose will be:

• To provide a trusted source of comprehensive public information to benefit those interested in cruising and all members of the cruise industry, thereby counteracting any inaccurate information about cruising

• To provide a platform for promotion and the delivery of secure digital material for CLIA members and consumers alike

• To ensure CLIA remains at the forefront of innovation by keeping pace with internet technology developments

The success of the .Cruise registry will be determined by the enhancement in the equity of our brand and in terms of the security and stability it brings to our member communications.

Similar gTLD applications: (0)