WASHINGTON, DC (November 28, 2018) — The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that its Global Executive Committee has appointed Kelly Craighead as President and CEO, effective January 1, 2019.
Craighead will assume the position currently held by Cindy D'Aoust, who announced last July her intention to leave her post by the end of the year.
Craighead has spent more than 15 years in the public and private sectors, most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she was dedicated to promoting the interests of the travel and tourism sectors within the Administration and with Congress.
As the first Executive Director of the National Travel and Tourism Office, Kelly Craighead led initiatives that generated over $250 billion in annual revenue for the United States and represented the country internationally. Kelly actively supports global tourism efforts and is involved with several international organizations focused on promoting the interests of the travel and tourism sectors.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Kelly to CLIA to support the global cruise industry in this golden age of cruising. His extensive experience in the hospitality and travel industries, along with his leadership skills and passion for results, is an unbeatable combination. It is an exciting time for our industry, with great opportunities, and I look forward to working with Kelly in the years to come,” said Arnold Donald, Chairman of CLIA Global and President and CEO of Carnival Corporation & PLC.
As President and CEO, Craighead will lead CLIA's global team to continue unifying, representing, advocating for, and promoting the common interests of the organization's members and the global cruise industry. Among her top priorities will be continuing to share the immense value and excitement of cruise travel, making it the premier vacation choice for travelers worldwide.
“Cruise demand is showing strong growth, making the cruise industry a critical partner for municipalities, cities, regions, and nations around the world,” said Craighead. “I am excited to join such a strong and respected organization at an extremely important time for the industry. I look forward to listening to, learning from, and better understanding the needs of our members and building on the strong foundation and success of the current team to lead CLIA more effectively in the years to come.”.
