Ports & destinations

The recent annual Cruise Copenhagen Network (CCN) General Assembly - held at the Danish capital’s Tivoli Gardens – attracted an attendance of over 60 partners, who gathered together not only to review and evaluate 2012 activity but also to discuss a new and innovative 3-year strategy for ‘the way forward’ looking to 2015.

The overview of 2012 activity highlighted significant successes, including: the design of newly-branded marketing material for 2013 and the enrolment of three new CCN partners, the Designmuseum Danmark, Vedde Turistfart and the Port of Hundested.

To assist with plans for strengthening the CCN strategy over the next three years, a Panel was formed to discuss and identify the best direction for ‘the way forward’. Those participants included: Janus Krarup – Municipality of Copenhagen, Arnt Møller Petersen – CMP, Nick Courtney – BDP, Henrik Bendix – Strömma, Allan Agerholm – Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, Karim Nielsen – Brøchner Hotels, Jesper Thomas Møller – Christiansborg and Kronborg Castle, Lars Bech – VisitAalborg

Says Bo Larsen, CCN Director: “We shall continue to strive to become the industry’s best organized destination network and target all new opportunities which exist. However, whilst we are very proud of our achievements to date, we have to be realistic and address head on the considerable challenges, which face us in Copenhagen. These range from the current tough economic environment, our relatively short season cancel short season and the legislative issues in the Baltic Sea region, to how to improve infrastructure and logistics for our cruise passengers – especially with the completion next year of a new pier and terminal buildings. We need to protect existing business at the same time as target new, looking at growing international source markets such as Australia.

“Through our efforts we anticipate an average passenger growth of 5-7% by 2015, however, we have to focus on enhancing both the quality of the Copenhagen experience and collaboration at destination level. We aim to achieve these goals by being more assertive, combining cruise intelligence and the knowledge of our partners – particularly those in the commercial product sector, shops, hotels etc.. - with making innovative improvements.”

In recognition of his commitment to the Danish cruise industry and his innovative solutions on behalf of the Cruise Copenhagen Network, Luis De Carvalho from Consult DC was recognised at the Assembly as CCN’s ‘Most Valuable Partner 2012’.