Washington, DC, 2015-5-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is pleased to announce that Ken Muskat, executive vice president of sales, public relations, and guest services for MSC Cruises USA, has been named chairman of the CLIA Trade Relations Committee.
In this role, Muskat will lead a committee of his peers and work in partnership with CLIA Vice President of Membership Charles Sylvia to provide counsel on CLIA’s travel agency and agent relations, training, professional development programs, partnerships, research and membership initiatives.
“It is a great honor to take on the role of chairman for the Trade Relations Committee,” said Muskat. “I’ve always recognized CLIA’s efforts to support, educate and engage the travel agent community as vital to the success of the cruise industry. I look forward to working with the CLIA team and my fellow member cruise lines to continue to find new and innovative ways to keep travel agencies and agents as the main distribution channel for cruises and profitable for years to come.”
Prior to his role at MSC Cruises, Muskat served in a variety of senior executive roles in marketing, sales, consumer outreach and onboard revenue at Royal Caribbean International. During this time, he hosted the cruise industry’s first weekly online radio show for both travel agents and consumers which ran for 22 weeks and reached more than 24,000 listeners a week.
A graduate of the University of Hartford, Muskat has dedicated his entire professional career to the cruise industry. Early in his career, he was twice named one of Travel Agent Magazine’s Top 100 Rising Stars of the Travel Industry and, more recently, he was a recipient of The University of Hartford Anchor Award, the most prestigious award presented by the University’s Alumni Association.
Muskat assumes the Trade Relations Committee chairmanship from Brian O’Connor, vice president of public relations for Princess Cruises, who left the Committee in April after being promoted to his current position. During his chairmanship, O’Connor led the Committee to help CLIA launch the new Individual Agent Membership level, and he was a strong advocate for cruise line benefits for travel agents.
About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2015, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. As the largest cruise industry trade association with 15 offices globally, CLIA has representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA’s mission is to support policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 23 million passengers who cruise annually, as well as promote the cruise vacation experience. Members are committed to the sustained success of the cruise industry and are comprised of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and other cruise industry partners, including ports, destinations, ship developers, suppliers, business services and travel operators. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or www.cruiseforward.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on Facebook and Twitter pages.
Press Contacts
V. Tom Gardner
Manager, Public Relations
Travel Industry & Marketing Issues
tgardner@cruising.org
Tel: 202-759-9326
Cell: 703-628-7389
Elinore Boeke,
Director, Public Affairs
Industry Policies/Regulatory
& Legislative Issues
eboeke@cruising.org
Tel: 202-759-6773
Cell: 703-209-9155