The late Christine Cole has been posthumously inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the growth of Western Australia’s cruise industry. The honour was presented during this year’s Western Australian Cruise Exchange in Perth.
The special Hall of Fame presentation took place at a Tourism WA-hosted dinner, recognising Cole’s decades of work supporting cruise tourism and fostering opportunities for communities across the state. While the award is traditionally presented at CLIA’s annual Cruise Industry Awards in Australasia, the organisation chose to honour Cole in Perth as a tribute to her legacy within the Western Australian tourism industry.
Recognising a lasting legacy
CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said Cole had been instrumental in shaping the state’s cruise sector through her ability to build lasting relationships between cruise lines, ports, tourism operators, destinations and local communities.
He said her work helped establish the partnerships that enabled cruise tourism in Western Australia to grow and mature, leaving an enduring impact on the industry.
A career dedicated to cruise tourism
Cole spent 25 years with Tourism WA, including as Cruise & Niche Tourism Manager. During her career she led the development of the 10-Year WA Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan, managed eight Western Australian Cruise Exchanges and secured two national cruise conferences for the state. She passed away in May following a long battle with cancer.
Her induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame recognises both her professional achievements and the lasting influence she had on Western Australia’s cruise industry.
