Virginia Lopez, CEO of Cruises News Media Group joins the 51st MedCruise General Assembly that took place in Toulon, Var Provence, France, 11-14 October 2017 and publishes a 16-page report on the event.
51st MedCruise General Assembly
Throughout 11th and 14th October 2017 the 51st MedCruise General Assembly, the meeting organised by the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, was held. This event took place in Palais du Commerce et de la Mer in Toulon, Var Provence, France.
During the General Assembly, around 160 representatives from MedCruise port and associate members, cruise line executives and media discussed the latest developments in the cruise sector, as well as the implications and prospects of cruising in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
This is the first time that the MedCruise General Assembly has taken place in Toulon, and the city was delighted to host this event where cruise ports, partners and other stakeholders, were able to talk over with cruise lines executives the developments in the region.
Cruise Line executives and international cruise press representatives were invited to participate in a social programme specially organised for them. This extensive programme of leisure activities included a trip by cable-car to Mount Faron to see the spectacular view of the bay and a visit to the Mémorial du Mont Faron, L’Opera, as well as a walking tour at Hyères. Other exciting activities included a helicopter flight to see the wonderful landscape offered by the Var Provence and karting races at the racing circuit of Paul Ricard, which has been chosen as the venue for the Formula 1 French Grand Prix in June 2018.
Attendees were able to enjoy conferences on the cruise industry during the morning, and afternoon over the four days. After the official opening made by local authorities, there was a welcome cocktail at Grand Hotel des Sablettes Plage.
The following day the programme started with a discussion of internal matters and issues of interest to cruise ports and their partners. Then there was the election of the new president of MedCruise, Airam Díaz Pastor, Commercial Director of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was chosen to succeed Kristijan Pavic, Director of Port of Dubrovnik. Along with its President, MedCruise elected the Board of Directors (BoD) to serve for the period 2017-2020. The members of the new Board of Directors are: Aris Batsoulis (Corfu) elected as Senior Vice President, Laura Cimaglia (Brindisi), elected as Vice President, Figen Ayan (Istanbul), Cherifa Ben Salem (Tunisian Ports), Maria Cano Olmos (Palamós), Cristina De Gregori (Genoa/ Savona), Nicky Guerrero (Gibraltar), Valeria Mangiarotti (Sardinian Ports), Teodor Patrichi (Constantza), Theodora Riga (Piraeus), Carla Salvado (Kusadasi/ Bodrum/ Antalya) and Thrasos Stavridoupoulos (Volos).
After lunch the newly-elected president, Airam Díaz Pastor with Tom Fecke, CLIA Europe Secretary General, Giora Israel from Carnival Corporation & PLC, Miguel Reyna from Royal Caribbean Cruises, Bruce Krumrine from Princess Cruises-Holland America Line-Seabourn, participated in a panel about The Mediterranean in a Globalised Cruise Market with Stavros Hatzakos, MedCruise Honorary President, as moderator.
There followed a panel about Developing a Cruise Supply Chain with the participation of Michel Nestour from Carnival Corporation, Javier Marin from Pullmantur, Craig Milan from Virgin Voyages, Maud Astesano, from Operating Company Toulon Hyères Airport, and Mihailo Vukic from Allegra Montenegro, moderated by Anne-Marie Blum, Var Provence Cruise Club.
After the panels, time was devoted to business to business meetings where all members could exchange views and ideas with cruise line executives, as well as interactive workshops. The day ended with a Gala Dinner at the Pavillon de Frégate, courtesy of Intercruises.
The next day there was more time for business to business meetings, as well as the first meeting of the new Board of Directors of Medcruise. During its meeting, the Board decided that the MedCruise Secretariat will continue to perform its tasks from the Greek office of the Association at the Port of Piraeus and reappointed Thanos Pallis as the Secretary General of the Association.
Then Andrea Fiori from Costa Crociere, Marcus Puttich from TUI Cruises, Sander Groothuis from Windstar Cruises, Jerome Giraud, Ports of Toulon Bay discussed Achieving Operational Excellence moderated by Aris Batsoulis (Corfu), Senior Vice President-elect of MedCruise.
After lunch the programme continued with a discussion about “Be part of an Itinerary” with Marc Berberian from Compagnie du Ponant, Mike Bush from Princess Cruises-Holland America Line-Seabourn, Adria Bono from Silversea Cruises and Silja Eisbein from TUI Cruises, moderated by the Vice President-elect of MedCruise, Laura Cimaglia (Brindisi).
After the panels, time was devoted to business to business meetings where all members could converse with cruise line executives. The day ended with a Farewell Dinner for the delegates at the Restaurant Le “Lido”, where the attendees could taste the delicious French bouillabaisse.
The following day there was a social programme specially organised for the attendees with a visit to the Port of Toulon and three different excursions:
OPTION 1: Unforgettable Toulon – A visit to the Provencal authentic city of Toulon, capital of Var Provence: its historical pedestrian area, typical Provencal outdoor market and famous Mayol rugby stadium (depending on availability). Then, a climb aboard the exciting red cable car to reach the summit of Mont Faron hill and enjoy the breathtaking view over the Bay, considered the most beautiful one in Europe. From the top, it was possible to visit the Museum of Landing in Provence. After a lunch on the beach, a visit to Le Domaine D’orves, a Provencal bastide surrounded by a beautiful garden where delegates were introduced to a water-painting initiation…
OPTION 2: Paradise Island Green Tour – Pétanque, Wine tasting, and bicycle ride. Enjoying the Provence lifestyle visiting this Paradise Island in an eco-friendly way. With the chance to discover «Notre-Dame Beach» which has been ranked first of the 3 most beautiful beaches in Europe » by Europe Best Destination! Porquerolles beaches are known as the Mediterranean Caribbean…
OPTION 3: Unavoidable Saint-Tropez… – No introduction was necessary for Saint-Tropez, the world renowned village where stars and visitors come to get a tan on the idyllic beaches, sip a cocktail on the typical port and do shopping in the luxurious shops. Beach, “pétanque” on the well-known Place des Lices, gastronomy and shopping!.
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