The event brings together tour operators and shipping companies to analyze and discuss the luxury cruise segment
With the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, Port Authority, Tourism Area of the City of Malaga, Tourism Costa del Sol and Cruceros Malaga, the International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA) held in Malaga the event ‘Luxury Showcase’, between 15 and 16 October, focused on the luxury cruise segment.
The meeting that, for the first time, takes place in a Spanish destination, brings together tour operators, mainly British, and managers of the major cruise companies specialized in the sector.
The director of CLIA Spain, Alfredo Serrano, highlights the activity of the association as “enhancer of luxury cruise destinations in the Mediterranean” and supporting sustainable policies and practices in a sector that, globally, moves more than 27 million of passengers annually “. Serrano adds, in addition, that “the choice of Malaga is an opportunity to contribute specifically to the promotion of luxury cruise tourism in the capital and the region, since it plays an important role in the map of Spanish destinations.”
Malaga has established itself as one of the main Spanish ports for investment in infrastructure, connectivity with the rest of Europe and the wide range of services in the capital, the province and the Autonomous Community.
The cruise traffic of the port of Malaga has been increasing in recent years, and it is doing so prominently in the luxury and premium profile, which has revealed an increase of 70% in the last two years.
In 2017, the Port of Malaga received 131,500 passengers on board of 135 vessels of this type, representing 25% of the total number of cruise passengers (510,607) and about half of the stopovers during the past year.
According to the study “Analysis of the destination Malaga for the passenger of cruise”, carried out by the University of Malaga, the economic impact of this visitor would have left in our destination about 14.8 million euros last year.
In this sense, the president of the Port Authority, Paulino Plata, considers that the holding of an event of this nature “is very interesting for companies and agents in the sector to know the experience that Málaga can offer to a more exclusive type of passenger and, in addition, it allows us to continue growing to create new products and services that meet the demand of this quality tourism. We have a very demanding challenge ahead if we want to be a port and destination of success for luxury and premium tourism. “
For its part, the councilor for Tourism and Promotion of the city, María del Mar Martín Rojo, appreciates this initiative which “brings together dozens of travel agents who sell the cabins of premium shipping, attracting a tourist profile with an average of cost 60% greater than the cruise of the standard sector “. And he adds, “it is a great opportunity for you to know the monumental, shopping, museum and gastronomic offer of Malaga, valued by passengers with 8.9 out of 10.”
In the same line, the general director of Tourism Costa del Sol, Arturo Bernal, said that “being able to show the professionals of the sector in situ the excellence of our destination is an opportunity that we will not miss, as they become the We are among our main objectives to maintain a direct contact with the main shipping companies, always in collaboration with other administrations, to show them the news and potential of the destination in terms of cruises. “
The conferences and workshops are held on board the exclusive ships ‘Silver Whisper’ (Monday, October 15) and ‘Seabourn Ovation’ (Tuesday, October 16) and include visits to the most emblematic places in the historic center of the capital.
About CLIA
The International Cruise Lines Association is one of the main entities of the cruise industry, with 15 offices worldwide and representation in America, Europe and Asia.
The maritime, fluvial and specialized companies, certified travel agents, ports, destinations, ship promoters and suppliers, among others, are part of the association that, since 1975, is focused on boosting world cruise tourism.
