This June, the city of Odessa in the Black Sea turned into the centre of discussions regarding cruise development in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, as Odessa Sea Port Authority hosted the 48th MedCruise General Assembly, 22-25 June 2016.
Being part of MedCruise 20 years celebrations, this major cruise event offered its delegates a unique networking opportunity with more than 120 cruise industry professionals including cruise lines, port associations, journalists from all over the world, port executives, travel agents and other stakeholders, while at the same time enjoying an unforgettable travel experience in beautiful Odessa.
During specialised interactive Workshops, MedCruise members along with esteemed cruise line guests, discussed the best practices to ‘Invest and Develop Cruise Terminals’ and searched for ways to ‘Reach New Source Markets’. Plenary sessions focused on the prospects of cruising in the Black Sea and ways to unlock cruise potential in the Med.
Participants had also the chance to discuss the newly published Code of Good Practices for Cruise and Ferry Ports, that was published by the port network formed within ESPO, during a special session involving representatives of ESPO, Cruise Baltic, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise.
In line with the MedCruise tradition, all port and associate members had also a first class opportunity to enjoy in total three sessions of B2B meetings with cruise line executives and international press representatives.
A special moment of the event was the gathering of all past MedCruise presidents, in celebrating the 20 years milestone, discussing the evolution of the Association and the ways forward. Intervening on behalf of CLIA Europe, Raphael von Heereman, Secretary General CLIA Europe, congratulated MedCruise for its 20 years celebration, praising the collaboration of the two Associations in educating travel agents in Europe and beyond.
MedCruise continues to expand as the 48th MedCruise General Assembly confirmed the admission of two new members, Varna and Ancona, and three associate members, Alfaship, Mediterranean Unique Experience and Var Provence Cruise Club.
The excellent organisation and the unique hospitality of Odessa Sea Port Authority added to the satisfaction of MedCruise members, who returned home looking forward to attending the forthcoming 49th MedCruise General Assembly to be held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on 23 September 2016.
You might reach a flashback video of the 48th MedCruise General Assembly by visiting this link.
For more information on the event, please contact secretariat@medcruise.com.
