During the ‘Common Ground: Port Association Dialogue’ session at Seatrade Cruise Med in Malaga, Spain, MedCruise President Figen Ayan joined leaders from four other European port associations on stage. The panel featured Monica Berstad of Cruise Norway, Klaus Bondam of Cruise Baltic, Simone Tommaso Maraschi of Cruise Europe, and Ian McQuade of Cruise Britain, with Roger Blum as moderator.
A significant outcome of this session was a joint statement from these five European and Mediterranean port associations to commit to advocate for sustainable growth in the cruise industry. Recognising shared challenges, they emphasised the importance of transparency and collaboration among members, partners and stakeholders to find innovative solutions. Their shared goal is to ensure the cruise industry harmonises with both urban and rural environments.
These associations acknowledge concerns about over tourism in Europe and aim to develop balanced strategies that align tourism with community needs.
“By joining forces and working together with cruise lines, CLIA and other key stakeholders, we are committed to advocating for a responsible approach to cruising- one that delivers for our guests, respects our communities, protects our natural heritage and fragile environments and contributes positively to local economies”.
The associations expressed their gratitude to Seatrade for facilitating this platform for dialogue and collaboration among them.
MedCruise President also participated in the ‘State of the Mediterranean Industry’ session, which brought together top cruise industry leaders to discuss the current market landscape, future priorities, and the vital need for collaboration on industry initiatives and innovation. The panel also featured distinguished speakers including Marie-Caroline Laurent, Chris Theophilides, and Mario Zanetti, with Mary Bond as the moderator.
Over the course of the event, numerous MedCruise Board of Directors members engaged in inspiring and insightful panels and roundtable discussions. The MedCruise 96m² booth #MC12, was the hub for over 100 B2B meetings and served as a venue for various member presentations.
About MedCruise
The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports.
The mission of MedCruise is to promote the cruise industry in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. The Association assists its members in benefiting from the growth of the cruise industry by providing networking, promotional, as well as professional development opportunities.
Established in Rome on the 11th of June 1996, by a collaborative agreement between 16 ports in seven different countries, the MedCruise membership spreads today in 22 countries and is located in three different continents, Africa, Asia and Europe. MedCruise represents more than 150 ports and 57 associate members.
For more information, visit the MedCruise website.
