Royal Caribbean COO on CLIA, China and the Need for North American Cruisers
Photo Credit: April 16, 2013 - Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Adam Goldstein unveils the line's newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, at an announcement at the IAC building in New York City. Royal Caribbean Cruises / Tim Aylen
Skift Take
Quietly, Goldstein has helped oversee the global integration of cruise industry trade associations into one united entity. That re-organization will come in handy during the industry's expansion into emerging markets.
While it lacks in scale to Carnival Corp., which operates about half of the cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean Cruises has staked out a strong second position in the industry.
Royal Caribbean Cruises president and CEO Adam Goldstein told Skift that the nascent Chinese cruise market is vital to the company's fortunes, but shouldn't become a focus at the expense of North American cruisers, who represent the greatest source of existing demand for cruises.
Royal Caribbean Cruises' Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and SkySea joint-venture in China have been some of the most eager brands to break into the Chinese cruise market.
Goldstein also serves as chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry's global trade organization. CLIA experienced controversy early this year when former U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral Thomas Ostebo, who it had tapped to lead the organization as CEO, stepped down after two
