The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) announced that Daniel S. Farkas, executive vice president and general counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has been appointed as the incoming FCCA Operations Committee Chair.
“I am honored by the appointment as FCCA Operations Committee Chair and excited to continue building upon the successes the group has achieved,” said Farkas.
“We will focus on strengthening our relationships with destinations, ports and FCCA members, along with representing the industry to achieve mutual success. During my tenure, additional concentration will be placed on further developing and enhancing the guest experience at the destinations while expanding opportunities for stakeholders and citizens.”
Farkas is replacing Russell Benford, VP of government relations, Americas, Royal Caribbean Group, who will continue to serve on the Committee.
“Serving as FCCA Operations Committee Chair over the last two years has further proven the significance of partnership and collaboration, with that foundation through the platform of FCCA and the Operations Committee being crucial to rebounding from an unprecedented event like COVID-19,” said Benford.
“I look forward to continuing these efforts while still being part of the Committee, and I am confident that Mr. Farkas will navigate us in the right direction.”
Farkas will lead efforts including monthly meetings open to the entire group and FCCA partners and will also be in charge of advancing the Committee’s core principles: discussing cruise industry topics, such as tourism development, ports, safety and security; fostering an understanding of the industry and its practices; building bilateral relationships with FCCA’s partner destinations’ private and public sectors; fostering increased revenue opportunities for ports and destinations; and enhancing the destination experience and amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
Farkas oversees all aspects of the Legal, Risk Management, Corporate Governance and Compliance, Passenger and Crew Claims Government Affairs, Construction, Port Operations and Port Development areas. He is also the Company’s Corporate Ethics Officer.
“I am humbled by the continued commitment of FCCA Member Line executives,” said Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA.
“Our overall goal has always been to strengthen mutual understanding and success, and the involvement of so many cruise executives like Russell Benford and Daniel Farkas is not only pivotal for that, but also demonstrates the importance of our initiatives to the industry.”
