Ports & destinations

Nearly 100 professionals attends first Melilla Cruise Forum

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 May 2018 15 May 2018

On May 9, Melilla was in the spotlight of the cruise industry, with the celebration of Melilla Cruise Forum 2018, an event which brought together in Melilla the local, national and international cruise industry. The event was organized by Cruises News Media Group, an international consultancy specializing in the cruise industry and organiser of the International Cruise Summit.

The celebration of this event is the result of an initiative by the Port Authority of Melilla and Melilla Autonomous City Tourism.

The event was opened by the Councillor for Economy of Melilla Autonomous City, Daniel Conesa, the President of Port Authority of Melilla, Miguel Marín Cobos, and the President of Melilla Tourism, Javier Mateo. All three of them demonstrated the willingness of Melilla to work as one in developing this type of tourism that the city will welcome with open arms, being aware that the foundation of this is currently being laid down in a strategy that will bring results in the near future.

Emiliano González, President of MSC Cruises Spain and CLIA representative, gave a vision of the state of the worldwide cruise industry, with a global total of 27.2 million passengers forecast for 2018, 5.5% more than the previous year.

Then, Chris Martin, Port Operations Director of Holland America Group, Seabourn and Princess, presented the different brands within his company and the differences of customers, destinations, and the levels of services between them. For her part, Fátima Traikia, of BC Tours Shoreside & Port Services, discussed the role of land operators in the cruise industry, and the requirements for tour operator shore excursions as well as offering port agency services.

Luis de Carvalho, CEO at BA Europe gave a presentation on the keys to building and developing a cruise destination. Following this, it was fitting to exemplify the knowledge gained by analysing a neighbouring success story, the Port of Cartagena. Fernando Muñoz, Commercial Director of Port Authority of Cartagena, explained the steps taken by his port and city in increasing six-fold the number of cruise visitors in just nine years.

Finally, a round table was held, with the participation of Emiliano González, President of MSC Cruises Spain, Mario Sennacheribbo, CEO of BC Agency, Monica Georgiou, Operations Manager of Columbia Cruise Services, and Leire Azcuna, Senior Manager Itinerary Planning of Pullmantur Cruises, discussing the opportunities of an industry, still young but with great expectations to grow. Delegates were able to ask questions directly to the speakers. It was concluded that the overall impression is very positive, and that Melilla can reach its potential with a clear strategy and good cooperation.

The day before, many of the executives participating in the forum, were able to learn for themselves the main tourist attractions of the city through a familiarisation trip, visiting key locations and savouring the gastronomy and local hospitality.

Both the organisers and the promoters highlighted the possibility of this forum becoming an annual event as tool for spreading knowledge, promoting the destination and evaluating its development.

Global Ports Holding reports buoyant start to the company's Turkey cruise season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 May 2018 11 May 2018

The cruise season has begun in Turkey, with the three Turkish cruise ports operated by Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator, seeing increased levels of activity. This improving trend is supported by the most recent data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkstat), which stated that tourist numbers for Q1 2018 rose 26.4% over the same period last year.

As the cruise season kicks off in Turkey, Ege Port- Kuşadası, Antalya Cruise Port and Bodrum Cruise Port are looking forward to welcoming some inaugural calls and returning ships over the course of the cruise season.

Antalya Cruise Port welcomed its first cruise ship of the season, Serenissima, on March 26th. This was shortly followed by Mein Schiff 1 on March 30th. The port is located near the Antalya International Airport and is in close proximity to attractive beach resorts and hotels. Transit passengers can take shore excursions to nearby towns and historic locations including Aspendos, Perge and Side.

On the western coast of Turkey, Serenissima visited Ege Port - Kuşadası on March 30th, with Celestyal Majesty arriving on March 31st, while later in the season it is set to welcome the returning Oceana and Regent Seven Seas. Azamara Cruises will have its first 2018 call to Kuşadası with Azamara Journey on May 15th. The Port is close to historic sites such as Ephesus, which is among the most visited ancient sites in the Mediterranean. While all passengers will get to experience the completely renovated Scala Nuova Village, which offers authentic local shopping among a picturesque array of Aegean village-like streets, with exotic, colorful shops, chic cafés, bars and restaurants and all tailored for cruise passengers.

Bodrum Cruise Port, situated in the heart of the popular vacation city, is also set to be busier this year with a number of inaugural calls. These include Thomson Cruises' TUI Discovery 2 on May 22nd, Mein Schiff 4 (TUI Cruises) in the first week of October and Ponant's Le Laperouse calling in the second half of October. They will all be greeted with Plaque Ceremonies and the warmest welcome.

On April 29th, Bodrum Cruise Port hosted the 5th edition of the Global Run Bodrum. Global Run is held at GPH ports every year to promote people travelling to different countries and getting to know new cultures, surroundings and cuisine, while keeping fit.

Carnival Corporation finances the newest eco-park attraction in St. Maarten

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 April 2018 14 April 2018

Carnival Corporation & plc celebrated the official grand opening of Rainforest Adventure’s Rockland Estate eco-park attraction on April 11 in St. Maarten. To mark the occasion, a ceremony was attended by esteemed government officials, including Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin and Governor Dr. Eugene Holiday, as well as Rainforest Adventures president Josef Preschel and key Carnival Corporation officials, including David Candib, vice president of development and operations for the global port and destination development group.

With financing from Carnival Corporation and built by Rainforest Adventures, Rockland Estate is a one-of-a-kind attraction expected to quickly become one of the most popular in the Caribbean. It has something for everyone – thrill-seeking adventures, including the world’s steepest zip line and a mountain chair lift with breathtaking views and a heart-racing tube ride, as well as a museum that showcases the rich history and culture of St. Maarten and its people. Guests from eight of Carnival Corporation’s brands with itineraries visiting the island will have the opportunity to experience the new shore excursion, recently named by USA Today 10Best as a top Caribbean attraction.

“We are proud to be part of the Rockland Estate development, and we are excited that this new attraction will surely become a bucket-list item for visitors to the island, whether they’re looking to take in incredible views, experience one-of-a-kind rides or gain perspective on the rich history and culture of the island,” said David Candib, vice president of development and operations for the global port and destination development group at Carnival Corporation. “St. Maarten is already a beloved destination by guests across our eight cruise line brands that visit the island, and we’re confident that Rockland Estate will create an even more compelling reason to visit the country on a cruise vacation.”

Rockland Estate is considered an eco-adventure park committed to preserving native eco-systems while ensuring the sustainability of the estate’s physical and intangible attributes. The overall goal of the Rainforest Adventures team in building the attraction was to enhance and preserve St. Maarten’s natural and built environments and endorse its cultural and historical significance, while also promoting education through adventure.

Said Preschel, president of Rainforest Adventures: “In constructing the park, one of our goals was to uphold our commitment to environmental conservation, with less than five percent of the Emilio Wilson Estate impacted by the new Rockland Estate eco-adventure park. Our other key goal is to educate visitors on the importance of ongoing conservation in this area and to celebrate local history and culture, while also providing thrilling rides and relaxing activities.”

“St. Maarten continues to be one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation destinations, and providing new offerings is key in attracting interest in our beautiful and friendly island from both new and returning tourists,” said Cornelius de Weever, acting minister of tourism, economic affairs, transportation and telecommunications for St. Maarten. “Rockland Estate is one of the most important attraction developments in St. Maarten in a decade, and we are confident that it will boost tourism. We’re excited for more and more visitors to experience all that the park has to offer – from a look into the rich history of St. Maarten to exciting rides that provide breathtaking views of the island.”

Located on the historic Emilio Wilson Estate a short ride from St. Maarten’s Port of Philipsburg Cruise Terminal, Rockland Estate eco-park encompasses the widest variety of thrill rides and attractions in the Caribbean. The lineup features:

– Soualiga Sky Explorer: Soualiga Sky Explorer encompasses 68 four-passenger chairs that take guests to a transfer station for zip line and tubing rides, and then on to the top of one of St. Maarten’s highest points at 1,125 feet where they can take in spectacular panoramic views.

– Sentry Hill Zip Line: From the transfer station at the midpoint of the Soualiga Sky Explorer, guests can experience the exciting Sentry Hill Zip Line, where riders traverse a 1,600-foot, four-span line that provides unforgettable vistas of the mountain ridge.

– Schooner Ride: The Schooner Ride at the midway point of the Soualiga Sky Explorer gives guests the chance to surf down the mountain in large 40-inch inner tubes across a specially designed 657-foot track of heart-pounding curves mixed with fast straightaways.

– Top of Sentry Hill: One of St. Maarten’s highest elevations, Sentry Hill, offers walkways and platforms that encircle the mountaintop, showcasing 360-degree vistas of the island with views of neighboring Saba, St. Barts, St. Eustatius and Anguilla.

– Flying Dutchman: The Flying Dutchman is Rockland Estate’s main attraction and the world’s steepest zip line. It guarantees thrill-seekers the ride of a lifetime while securely harnessed in a chair, dropping them 1,050 feet in elevation from the top of Sentry Hill down the mountain over a 2,800-foot span.

– Emilio Wilson Museum: Originally built as a plantation home in the 1700s, the museum tells the powerful story of Trace Wilson, who was born into slavery on the property, and her direct descendant, St. Maarten pioneer and preservationist Emilio Wilson. It also highlights the customs, traditions, lifestyle and stories that have earned St. Maarten the moniker “The Friendly Island.”

St. Maarten is a popular destination for cruise guests, with 1.66 million cruisers visiting the island in 2016. The country’s port has been recognized several times by the readers of Cruise Fever as the best cruise port in the Caribbean, and was chosen by cruisers as the number two Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda port of call in Cruise Critic’s Cruiser’s Choice 2017 Destination Awards. Additionally, cruise tourism plays an important role in the country’s economy, representing one third of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Carnival Corporation also partnered with Rainforest Adventures to develop Rainforest Adventures Jamaica at Mystic Mountain in Ochos Rios – a mainstay of Jamaica rain forest activities where guests can travel from the seashore to 700 feet above sea level at the top of a mountain, stretching over 100 acres. Additionally, Carnival Corporation worked with Rainforest Adventures to design and build the Magical Flying Beach Chair at the cruise company’s Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan. The chair lift system takes cruise ship guests from the welcome center to Mahogany Beach via a six-minute ride across nearly 1,200 feet of suspended cables, providing not only convenient beach access, but also views of the lush countryside as well.

Montreal expects nearly 130,000 cruise visitors this season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 May 2018 11 May 2018

This year, 27 ships and 19 cruise lines will make a total of 90 stops in the Port of Montréal. More than 130,000 passengers and crew members are expected to visit the city, representing a 12% increase over the last season.

Montréal is increasingly standing out as a starting or ending point for cruises. In fact, four different companies are offering Montréal-to-Montréal itineraries via Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon or the Great Lakes. The city will also be the departure port for 20 cruises headed to Boston, 16 cruises to New York, 16 cruises to the Magdalen Islands and 6 cruises to Florida, as well as cruises to the Great Lakes, Europe (United Kingdom and Germany) and Cuba.

“For several years, we have been actively working to develop the cruise sector, which is growing dramatically around the world. Quebeckers will increasingly find it easier to book cruises leaving from Montréal and enjoy the city’s various attractions, including its fine food establishments and hotels for every taste,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

The season will continue right through to November 2, when Oceania Cruises’ Insignia departs. Between now and then, Montréal will welcome six new ships, including the Jacques Cartier (Croisières Jacques-Cartier, a Québec firm), the Victory II (Victory Cruise Lines), the AIDAvita (AIDA Cruises), the Star Pride (Windstar Cruises), the Silver Spirit and the Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises).

The Port of Montréal is bolstering the city’s strategic initiatives to promote the cruise sector by unveiling new facilities to welcome visitors. “Last year, we inaugurated a new cruise terminal, demonstrating the Port of Montréal’s desire to offer passengers and cruise operators an exceptional experience that’s in line with Montréal’s reputation. This year, we’re enhancing the experience by opening three public areas on the port’s Grand Quai, which will shape the new identity for the Alexandra Pier. The projections for this year confirm Montréal’s draw as a destination for international and domestic cruises, including those on the Great Lakes,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montréal Port Authority.

Hotelbeds Group sells Destination Management division to TUI

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 31 March 2018 31 March 2018

Hotelbeds Group, the world's leading bedbank, has announced the sale of its Destination Management division to TUI, the world's leading tourism group, as continuation of Hotelbeds Group’s strategic focus on its bedbank core.

TUI will acquire for an enterprise value of €110 million all of the assets of Hotbeds Group's Destination Management division, which represents the Group´s incoming services offering and is made up of three main global brands: Destination Services, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, and Pacific World.

This news follows Hotelbeds Group doubling the size of its business by sales through the acquisitions during 2017 of Tourico Holidays and GTA, two leading bedbanks with a strong presence in North America and Asia-Pacific respectively. Following the integration of these two leading bedbank brands into the Group, there are now over 170,000 hotels selling to over 60,000 travel intermediaries globally via the Group's proprietary B2B technology platform.