CLIA hosts Cruise360 conference in Sydney amid record cruise demand

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is hosting the 2026 Cruise360 Australasia conference in Sydney. The event, held at ICC Sydney, has expanded to a two-day format to address the growing global cruise sector, which is projected to reach a record 38 million passengers this year.

Conference sessions will focus on equipping travel advisors to handle increasing demand, with specific emphasis on luxury travel, river cruising, and expedition cruising. The agenda also includes discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on the travel industry and the evolving role of specialist advisors.

In conjunction with industry growth, CLIA has opened applications for its 2027 Cruise Champion training programmes. These hybrid learning courses are designed for frontline agents with limited experience in the river and expedition cruise sectors. The six-month programme includes product training, webinars, and workshops, aiming to build expertise through a combination of virtual activity and in-person sessions.