Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison will make a rare public appearance at World Travel Market 2012, the leading global event for the travel industry.

Arison will be taking part in the Travel Weekly Cruise Debate on Tuesday 6th November as the industry seeks to make sense of what has been a tumultuous year for the sector.

Having been chief executive of the Carnival Corporation since 1979 and its chairman since 1990, he will have plenty of insights when he discusses the industry with session moderator Travel Weekly Group UK editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley.

Arison will be joined in the debate by Carnival UK managing director David Dingle who will not only draw upon his extensive experience from working in the cruise industry but also from the wider perspective of the industry he gained working on the ABTA board.

The third confirmed speaker is Costa Cruises and AIDA managing director Michael Thamm who as early as 1993 was holding senior positions in the cruise industry.

They will be joined on stage by a fourth speaker yet to be confirmed.

The four speakers will discuss the industry which was marred by tragedy in January this year when the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Italy, killing 32 crew and passengers.

The industry has also dealt with fluctuating oil prices but despite this has remained strong with growing numbers of customers and a number of new ships commissioned.

Reed Travel Exhibitions director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “The cruise sector is such a vital part of our industry that it was bound to be given a strong focus at WTM 2012.

“It is particularly vital following the events this year that we not only focus on how it has fared in the immediate aftermath of the Costa Concordia tragedy but also what the future brings.

“We are sure this debate featuring such high calibre speakers from the cruise industry will prove popular with the event’s delegates.”

The hour-long session will be held at 15:00 in Platinum Suite 3 and 4.

Arison will appear by live video link.