This was the message from deputy chair of Clia and P&O Cruises vice president of sales and marketing Robert Scott, as he opened the 2022 Clia Forum.

He also urged the industry to continue to work alongside the government and other decision making bodies in a bid to carry positive momentum into the new year.

"It is up to each and everyone one of us to use this event today – and all of the other opportunities we are presented with – to set up the foundation for a profitable year," he added.

"We must continue to collaborate, innovate and engage with the destinations we visit if we are to be successful next year. 

"After surviving a challenging wave period, and the outbreak of the Omicron variant last December, you can now start to feel that resilience and confidence creeping back in." 

Speaking via video link, Clia chair and Royal Caribbean vice president EMEA Ben Bouldin echoed Scott’s comments, and said increased capacity and upcoming cruise ships in 2023 will provide "an excellent opportunity" for agents to boost their cruise business.

"2023 is going to be such a great opportunity for everyone to increase profits because of the capacity and infrastructure to come," he told delegates. 

"There is so much to go after next year. 2023 is going to be big, and we need to reach out to more customers to boost business. Cruise should be at the very top of the travel industry."