» PRESS RELEASE 04-1 Thursday 15 April, 2004 EUROPEAN CRUISE COUNCIL (ECC) ELECTS CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN AT FIRST BOARD MEETING IN BRUSSELS The newly established European Cruise Council (ECC) undertook its first official meeting at the organisation's base in Brussels today (15 April) with representatives from 10 cruise lines in attendance. Key appointments included Pier Luigi Foschi, chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere Spa, as chairman of the organization and Patrick Ryan, Managing Director - European sales and marketing Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises as vice chairman. William Gibbons, director of the UK's Passenger Shipping Association, takes the role of marketing director and Tim Marking, deputy secretary-general of ECSA, is appointed secretary to the Council. The ECC will promote and defend the interests of the cruise sector with EU institutions, collate industry-statistics to demonstrate the scale and breadth of the cruise industry, and provide a resource for the promotion of cruises in Europe. The organisation will combine the political lobbying strengths of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) with the promotional and training expertise of the UK industry body, the Passenger Shipping Association. The 15 founder cruise company members of the ECC include Arcalia Shipping, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Seabourn Ltd, France Ferries Croisieres, Fred.Olsen Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Louis Cruises, P&O Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises, Saga Shipping, Seetours, Silversea Cruises and Thomson Cruises. The first meeting of the ECC comes just under six months after the call for a European-wide body was first made at Seatrade in Hamburg, October 2003. The initiative to form the new body was immediately taken by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) and European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). Pier Luigi Foschi said: “I am particularly happy with the quick response we have received by the founder members for the formation of the ECC recognizing the timely need of such an entity. Also I am honoured to be the first ECC chairman and express my gratitude to the ECC members for the sign of confidence in me.” - ENDS - Further information from: Tim Marking, ECSA, Tel: 00 32 2 510 61 27 - William Gibbons, PSA, Tel: 00 44 20 7436 2449 Editors' Notes: European Community Shipowners' Associations ECSA was formed in 1965 and comprises the national shipowner associations of the EU and Norway. It works through a permanent secretariat in Brussels and a Board of Directors as well as a number of specialised Committees. Its aim is to promote the interests of European shipping so that the industry can best serve European and international trade and commerce in a competitive free enterprise environment to the benefit of shippers and consumers. More information can be found on the ECSA website www.ecsa.be The Passenger Shipping Association The PSA was formed in the 1950's to promote passenger travel by sea. The PSA operates under a chairman and a council of management, which are elected by the membership. It provides an important forum to discuss matters of industry interest. The Passenger Shipping Association's Cruise Information Service has recently launched a new campaign, Discover Cruises that gives advice and information on the variety of cruise options on offer. Free factsheets offer information on the most popular areas / types of cruising with details about the cruise lines. A free brochure, Choose to Cruise, is also available by calling (44) 020 7436 2449 or visit www.discover-cruises.co.uk