Ukko Metsola Wiki, Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth: All About CLIA Europe Director General
The cruise industry has faced unprecedented challenges in the past year due to the global pandemic, which forced most cruise lines to suspend their operations and cancel their sailings. However, as the world gradually recovers from the crisis, the cruise industry is also preparing for its comeback, with new health and safety protocols, innovative technologies, and sustainable practices.
Leading the cruise industry’s efforts in Europe is Ukko Metsola, the newly appointed director general of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe, the leading voice for the global cruise industry. Metsola took on the leadership role in September 2020, succeeding Tom Boardley, who had served as secretary-general for the past two years.
As per Wikipedia details available he brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in the cruise sector, as well as in public policy and European Union affairs. He joined CLIA from Royal Caribbean Group, where he has served as vice president for government relations in Europe and Asia-Pacific since 2016. Prior to that, he had a distinguished political career in his native Finland, holding senior positions in the Finnish Parliament and in the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office.
Ukko Metsola Wiki/Bio
| Full name | Ukko Metsola |
| Date of birth | 1982 |
| Place of birth | Helsinki, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Education | University of Helsinki, Harvard Kennedy School |
| Political party | National Coalition Party |
| Current position | Director General of CLIA Europe |
| Previous position | Vice President for Government Relations in Europe and Asia-Pacific at Royal Caribbean Group |
| Spouse | Roberta Metsola |
| Children | Luca Matias, Alec Emil, Marc, Kristian |
| Residence | Brussels, Belgium |
Biography
Ukko Metsola was born in 1982 (age: 41 years, as of 2023) in Helsinki, Finland. He grew up in a family of academics and politicians, as his father was a professor of political science and his mother was a member of the Finnish Parliament. He attended the prestigious Ressu Upper Secondary School, where he excelled in his studies and developed an interest in international affairs.
He pursued his higher education at the University of Helsinki, where he graduated with a master’s degree in political science in 2007. He also studied abroad at the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration in 2009. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for his studies at Harvard, where he focused on global governance and security issues.
Profile
Wikipedia- Not Live
Political Career
After completing his studies, Metsola returned to Finland and joined the National Coalition Party, a liberal-conservative political party that is part of the European People’s Party. He started his political career as a special adviser to the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development in 2009, and later became the chief of staff to the Minister of Finance in 2011.
Metsola was also elected as a member of the Helsinki City Council in 2012, where he served until 2016. He was involved in various committees and boards, such as the Helsinki Region Transport Authority, the Helsinki City Theatre, and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
He was widely regarded as a rising star in Finnish politics, with a reputation for being smart, pragmatic, and diplomatic. He was also known for his pro-European and pro-NATO views, as well as his support for free trade and innovation.
Cruise Industry Career
In 2016, Ukko Metsola decided to leave politics and join the cruise industry, as he was offered a position as vice president for government relations in Europe and Asia-Pacific at Royal Caribbean Group, one of the world’s largest cruise companies. He was responsible for managing the company’s relations with governments, regulators, and stakeholders in the regions, as well as advocating for the cruise industry’s interests and policies.
Metsola played a key role in advancing the cruise industry’s agenda in Europe and Asia-Pacific, especially in the areas of sustainability, innovation, and safety. He also helped the company navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, such as coordinating with authorities on travel restrictions, health protocols, and repatriation efforts.
In September 2020, he was appointed as director general of CLIA Europe, the regional branch of the global trade association that represents the cruise industry. He succeeded Tom Boardley, who had led the organization since 2018. Metsola became the first director general of CLIA Europe, as the previous title of the position was secretary general.
As director general, he is in charge of leading CLIA’s presence and engagement in Europe, as well as representing the interests and views of the cruise industry to the European Union institutions and other stakeholders. He is also responsible for overseeing CLIA’s activities and initiatives in Europe, such as research, communications, events, and education.
His main priority as director general is to support the cruise industry’s recovery and restart in Europe, as well as to promote its contribution to the European economy, society, and environment. He is also committed to fostering a constructive dialogue and partnership with the European authorities and policymakers, especially on the topics of health, safety, sustainability, and innovation.
Wife and Son
Ukko Metsola is married to Roberta Metsola, a Maltese politician who is currently serving as a member of the European Parliament and as the first vice president of the European People’s Party. The couple met in 2006, when they were both studying at the Harvard Kennedy School, and got married in 2007.
The couple has four sons: Luca Matias (born 2007), Alec Emil (born 2008), Marc (born 2012), and Kristian (born 2016). The family lives in Brussels, Belgium, where they balance their busy professional and personal lives. They also travel frequently to their respective home countries, Finland and Malta, as well as to other destinations around the world.
He and his wife share a passion for politics, Europe, and the cruise industry. They are both active members of the European People’s Party, and often attend events and meetings together. They also enjoy cruising as a family, and have taken several cruises with Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines.
Net Worth and Salary
Ukko Metsola’s net worth and salary are not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated that he earns a six-figure income as the director general of CLIA Europe. His previous position as vice president for government relations at Royal Caribbean Group also likely paid him a high salary, as well as bonuses and benefits.
Metsola’s wife, Roberta Metsola, also earns a substantial income as a member of the European Parliament and as the first vice president of the European People’s Party. According to the official website of the European Parliament, the basic monthly salary of a member of the European Parliament is €8,932.86, before tax. Additionally, members of the European Parliament receive allowances for travel, office, and staff expenses.
Awards and Recognition
Ukko Metsola has not received any major awards or recognition for his work in the cruise industry or in politics, but he is widely respected and admired by his peers and colleagues. He is regarded as a leader, a visionary, and a strategist, who has a deep understanding of the cruise industry and its challenges and opportunities.
He is also praised for his communication and negotiation skills, as well as his ability to build trust and cooperation with various stakeholders and partners. He is seen as a bridge-builder, who can foster dialogue and collaboration between the cruise industry and the European institutions, as well as between different regions and cultures.
Ukko Metsola is one of the most influential and prominent figures in the cruise industry, as well as in European politics. He has a remarkable career that spans from the Finnish Parliament to the Royal Caribbean Group, and now to the CLIA Europe. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the cruise sector, as well as in public policy and European Union affair.
