CLIA Appoints Marie-Caroline Laurent as Director General for Europe

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the appointment of Marie-Caroline Laurent as Director General for CLIA in Europe, effective as of 15 November.

Marie-Caroline Laurent

Marie-Caroline is a transport policy expert who has worked in leadership roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for nearly a decade, including serving as Assistant Director for EU Affairs.

Previously she worked in policy development for the Association of European Airlines and has also served as a parliamentary adviser at the European Parliament and as senior policy officer at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.

“Cruise lines are at the forefront of green maritime innovation and are well positioned to help the EU to drive green growth. I’m looking forward to working together with cruise lines, our industry partners and policy makers to help drive Europe’s leadership in building a truly sustainable transport and tourism industry in Europe,” she said.

Marie-Caroline will take over from Ukko Metsola, who will stay on as adviser to the new Director General until the end of 2021 to support the transition prior to a planned return to the Royal Caribbean Group.

“I want to thank Ukko Metsola for his leadership in Europe during a critical transitional period as cruise operations have continued a phased return to service. I’m delighted to welcome Marie-Caroline Laurent who will draw on a wealth of experience within the European transport policy arena to showcase cruise at the heart of sustainable tourism and demonstrate its value to the wider maritime sector,” CLIA President and CEO  Kelly Craighead said.