European Cruise Council appoints new chairman

The European Cruise Council (ECC) has announced its next chairman, following the decision by Carnival UK chief executive officer David Dingle to step down from the role.

From April 1st, the body – which represents the interests of the world’s leading cruise lines within Europe – will be headed by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chair of Silversea Cruises.

Pierfrancesco Vago, chief executive officer of MSC Crociere will assume the role of ECC Vice Chairman.

On being appointed to the ECC chair Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said: “I’m honoured to take on this new role in the ECC organization.

“I hope to bring my years of industry experience to bear in raising the profile of the European cruise market among consumers and in the travel trade.”

The ECC was set up in 2004 and over the past six years has seen the number of European cruise passengers rise by 74 per cent - to nearly five million in 2009. 

There are 42 cruise lines present in Europe operating 129 ships, and the ECC has become the economic data source of this rapid expansion.

The latest ECC Annual Economic Impact Study (2008) showed the industry accounted for nearly €32 billion in direct expenditure, was responsible for more than 311,000 jobs and created 21 million visits to European ports. 

The ECC focuses in particular on the environment, ports and infrastructure, tourism and consumer affairs, and health and hygiene within the European institutions, and aims to balance economic and social interests across the community. 

The ECC has taken the recent decision to expand its presence in Brussels by appointing a senior environmental manager and public affairs consultants.

Commenting at the end of his three years as chairman Mr Dingle said: “The ECC has worked tirelessly in raising the profile of the cruise industry amongst European lawmakers and has clearly demonstrated its value, in terms of both employment and economic contribution.”