AN international cruise management conference comes to Plymouth this month.

Cruise industry experts will be coming to the University of Plymouth to take part in the second International Cruise Conference from February 18 to 20.

As the only UK university to offer a degree in cruise management, Plymouth has been chosen to host the event which will be opened by leading industry figure Professor Ross Dowling, from Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.

In his keynote speech, Professor Dowling will consider the latest developments and trends facing the multi-billion-pound industry, including the effect the Australian cruise boom is having on tourism in other parts of the world.

He said: "The key point is that cruise tourism is becoming global and moving away from the traditional Mediterranean/Caribbean hubs.

"The positioning of ships in Australia has meant a huge knock-on effect for tourism in the southern hemisphere with more ships visiting more ports in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the South Pacific.

"More British and European tourists are now visiting Australia through cruise destinations."

There will also be a series of master classes during the conference designed to showcase work in the industry and share practical skills.

These will include: developing trainee management programmes; an analysis of fine dining; industry occupational standards and professional development; and challenges of logistics in sourcing and supply.

Conference chair Dr Philip Gibson said: "We are honoured to host this world-class event, which will showcase the university as the UK education leader in this field and put Plymouth well and truly on the map.

"This is also a fantastic opportunity for our cruise management students to gain hands-on event management experience and network with leading industry professionals."

Other keynote speakers include Douglas Ward, author of the influential Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, who will talk about the development of the cruise industry during the past 40 years.

Neil Martin, from cruise and ferry firm P&O, will talk about how to succeed in the competitive and turbulent trading conditions currently affecting the industry.

And Bob Harrison, of Destination South West, an alliance of 10 ports including Plymouth, is due to share insight and advice on how to set up a cruise destination management organisation.