CLIA Europe Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, announced that he will complete his term as Chairman of CLIA Europe at the end of the year.

He will be succeeded by CLIA Europe Vice-Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.  Lefebvre d’Ovidio served as Chairman of CLIA Europe for three and a half years, which included an extension at the request of CLIA Europe members. He will remain a member of CLIA’s Global Executive Committee.

Image: Manfredi Lefebvre d'Orvieto

Christine Duffy, President & CEO of CLIA said: “I wish to acknowledge Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio for his exceptional leadership in Europe, and extend to him my gratitude on behalf of all CLIA members, particularly for agreeing to serve for an extended period. His close working relationships with regulators and fellow industry colleagues, in particular with his successor, CLIA Europe Vice-Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, will ensure a smooth and seamless transition. 

Image: Pier Francesco Vago

Robert Ashdown, CLIA Europe Secretary General, also paid tribute to Mr. Lefebvre’s efforts: “Chairman Lefebvre d’Ovidio helped the cruise industry navigate many critical areas during a challenging time. He helped to create the conditions for the industry’s continued record growth in Europe, and he was instrumental in the efforts to establish a global structure for CLIA that unified the industry under one voice throughout Europe and the world. This included the smooth and rapid transformation of the various European cruise industry associations into CLIA Europe, which continues its strong history of effectiveness in representing the interests of the cruise industry.”

Duffy remarked that CLIA Europe is positioned for continued success under Pierfranceso Vago:

“I am delighted that CLIA Europe Vice Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, a member of CLIA’s Global Executive Committee, will succeed Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio starting on 1st January next year.  In his role as Chairman of MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago has already made a tremendous contribution to the growth of the cruise industry in Europe. 

Robert Ashdown continued ‘As Vice-Chairman of CLIA Europe Pierfrancesco Vago has played a key role in the successful transformation of the association and has earned the respect of fellow industry colleagues and regulators alike. I look forward to working with him as the industry continues its strong growth in Europe.”

Manfredi Lefebvre thanked Christine Duffy for her leadership and welcomed his successor Pierfrancesco Vago. He also thanked fellow industry colleagues for their support, the teams in each of the CLIA Associations across Europe and outlined his confidence in the future of the industry.

“The cruise industry continues to make a strong economic contribution to the European economy and has shown robust growth in the past decade, even in the face of economic downturns. I’m confident this success will continue and I am also confident CLIA Europe will continue to thrive under the leadership of my successor, Pierfrancesco Vago,” Lefebvre d’Ovidio said.

Chairman elect, Pierfrancesco Vago, commended Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio on his record:

“It is an honour for me to take on the role as Chairman of CLIA Europe.  Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has been an extraordinary Chairman and will be a hard act to follow,” Mr. Vago said. He has left a strong and positive legacy which I aim to build on.  In particular he has built strong relationships with governments and regulators, most notably the European Commission and European Parliament, contributing significantly to the development of the positive and credible reputation the industry enjoys today.

 “Under his leadership we have built an industry that we should all be proud of. Together we employ over 325,000 Europeans, we serve more than 6 million Europeans on our cruise ships, and we generate almost €38 Billion in output for Europe’s economy.”