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MedCruise is an active partner in the EU BlueMissionMed Project

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 January 2023 28 January 2023

The BlueMissionMed Project's kick start meeting, hosted by the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) was launched in Venice on 26th of January 2023.

As a partner of BlueMissionMed, MedCruise was represented by its President, Figen Ayan and Secretary General, Nicky Guerrero.

During the event Figen Ayan delivered a partner’s pitch presentation on behalf of the Association. The presentation not only described the key role of MedCruise in this initiative but also the many years that the Association has been committed to sustainability and its actions in this respect. From now on, MedCruise has a direct dialogue with the EU to have a say in the 2025 and 2030 European targets on creating a more sustainable planet.

The event provided the perfect opportunity for the President of MedCruise, on behalf of the Association, its Board of Directors and Members to meet the key team driving this project and the other partners involved. The information on the Association’s activities, missions and goals was well received by the EU representatives and the other partners of BlueMissionMed project.

The EU Commission joined this inspiring project for maximising synergies within the targets of the mission “Restore our Oceans and Waters” by 2030. Many leading companies and NGOs will be acting as partners, as is MedCruise, to combine our efforts to create more sustainable ports in the Mediterranean.

As the leading association of cruise ports, representing over 150 ports from 22 countries, Medcruise will have a pivotal role from a destination perspective and will be a voice for these extremely important dialogues and partnerships on European Union and international levels.

About BlueMissionMed

The BLUEMED Initiative aims to advance a shared vision for a more healthy, productive, resilient, better known and valued Mediterranean Sea, promoting the citizens’ social well-being and prosperity, now and for future generations, and boosting economic growth and jobs.

Among the seas surrounding Europe, the Mediterranean has no match when it comes to biodiversity and the links between human activities and the environment. It is changing fast in response to both natural and anthropogenic pressures. Climate change, growing maritime traffic and pollution, overexploitation of fish stocks and invasions of alien species are among the stressors placing the region at risk. At the same time, the Mediterranean’s unique features provide major local opportunities for blue growth and jobs, ranging from fisheries to tourism.

The region’s geopolitical complexity may represent a constraint on the development of blue economic growth: joint efforts are required to address common challenges. A global perspective, transnational and international cooperation, are essential to realize safe, secure and sustainable development for all by taking into account national priorities.

Port Everglades rebrands with mighty approach

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 January 2023 25 January 2023

Port Everglades, a global gateway for cruise vacations and trade, is unleashing a new three-pronged branding campaign to differentiate its strengths from those of Florida's natural wonder, Everglades National Park.

A mighty trident against a backdrop of waves will symbolize Port Everglades' three main business sectors – cruise, cargo and energy – and the Port's three core values of strength, resilience and sustainability.

The waves not only illustrate the ocean, but also closely mirror Visit Lauderdale's logo for a symbiotic look and feel between Broward County's economic leaders.

"Poseidon and Neptune used a trident to demonstrate their strength, and Port Everglades is now using the iconic symbol to convey a strong message about who we are as a leader on the ocean and in economic development," said CEO and Port Director Jonathan Daniels.

Port Everglades conducted studies of its Port customers, the public and staff who identified name recognition as the Port's top marketing issue. After testing several designs, Port Everglades chose the icon of ocean strength to differentiate itself from the Everglades.

"Our economic enterprises – Port Everglades, Visit Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – need a higher presence in today's competitive global marketplace," said Broward County Mayor Lamar P. Fisher. "Port Everglades is a powerful economic generator for our community and needs to stand out in the forefront of the business world."

Preparations are in full gear for Antigua and Barbuda’s first homeporting exercise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 January 2023 25 January 2023

Cruise tourism stakeholders are currently fine-tuning preparations for the inaugural call and official welcoming festivities for P&O Cruises Arvia on Saturday. Tourism Minister the Hon. Charles Fernandez, who less than a week ago was reappointed as Minister of Tourism, has gone full steam ahead to ensure the success of the activities that will see the country execute its first official home porting exercise.

The Hon. Minister on Monday, January 23rd, toured the 5th berth facility where the vessel will be docked and also where the exchange of passengers will take place. Some 800 passengers will board Arvia in Antigua direct from special air charters which will land at the VC Bird International to be transferred to the 5th Berth facility at Heritage Quay. The entire exercise is logistics driven between air and seaport personnel as well as transportation service providers.

“We look forward to this exercise with great anticipation as it forms part of the plan to expand our cruise tourism platform. We anticipate that this activity will reap significant rewards for several of our stakeholders including our Taxi Operators,” said Minister Fernandez.

According to the Tourism Minister he is quite pleased with the added infrastructure at the 5th berth that is currently being outfitted with security, baggage, immigration, and customs resources to ensure that the transition process is seamless.

“This operation is an historic one for two main reasons, firstly the Arvia is the largest vessel to dock in Antigua with a capacity of over 5,200 passengers and 1,600 crew and secondly this is the first of three home porting operations scheduled for between now and March, so it serves as the foundation which is extremely important,” remarks Dona Regis-Prosper of Antigua Cruise Ports.

Homeporting is when a ship uses a port/marine terminal as its home, regardless of its port of registry. This allows passengers to begin/terminate a cruise in the home port and positively impacts ground transportation and tours. Passengers may also fly to the island to board vessels.

With all auguring well, Antigua and Barbuda stands poised to become one of the premier home porting destinations in the Eastern Caribbean.

AD Ports Group inaugurates Aqaba Cruise Terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 January 2023 24 January 2023

Under the patronage of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, and H.E. Tawfiq Kreishan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration in Jordan, inaugurated the first and only cruise terminal in Aqaba on January 23rd, coinciding with the arrival of the cruise vessel MSC Splendida carrying more than 2,000 visitors to Jordan. The new Aqaba Cruise Terminal marks the launch of the first of five strategic mega-projects planned between AD Ports Group - the global facilitator of logistics, industry and trade - and Aqaba Development Corporation to advance the coastal city’s tourism, logistics and transport sectors.

H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan and H.E. Kreishan took a tour and were briefed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, on the facility’s wide array of amenities and services that cater to the needs and expectations of international tourists visiting the Kingdom. The inauguration was attended by H.E. Eng. Nayef Fayez, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA; H.E. Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation; and several senior officials from both sides.

Under the agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation, AD Ports Group will develop, manage and operate the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, a world-class facility for international cruise passengers looking to visit Jordan, specifically Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum. Over 50 vessels are scheduled to dock at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal over the next four months, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the popular winter-sun destination.

H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, said: “The Aqaba Cruise Terminal is the result of the active cooperation and strategic partnership between the UAE and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Our longstanding, deep-rooted brotherly relations throughout history have today reached advanced levels of coordination on numerous fronts, with both countries serving as model examples of collaboration, wisdom, reason, peace, tolerance and forgiveness for the region and the world. The UAE is a key strategic partner for Jordan in a number of fields and is keen to propel mutual economic and investment cooperation to greater heights, while building on existing partnerships across different domains. Trade volumes amounted to around USD 3 billon last year, and UAE investments in Jordan reached over USD 17 billion. Ties between the UAE and Jordan have been strengthened even further thanks to the progressive vision and interests of both countries, representing a robust and growing strategic partnership across several vital areas. I would like to thank the Jordanian leadership, government and the nation for their cooperation, further reflecting the depth of the brotherly relations between our countries.”

H.E. Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of AD Ports Group, said: “The inauguration of the Aqaba Cruise Terminal reflects the ongoing cooperation and strategic partnership between the two brotherly nations, propelling them to new heights. As the first and only facility of its kind in the country, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal not only offers an unprecedented opportunity to tap into the fast-growing cruise industry, but also enables us to share our longstanding expertise in operating leading-edge cruise terminals, while supporting AD Ports Group’s international growth strategy by leveraging Aqaba’s pivotal location and vast potential as a regional hub on the Red Sea.”

H.E. Eng. Nayef Fayez, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA, Chairman of Aqaba Development Corporation, said: “At ASEZA, we remain committed to transforming the city of Aqaba into a competitive investment, commercial and tourism destination on the Red Sea, and the successful inauguration of the Aqaba Cruise Terminal today aligns with these endeavours. We thank our partners at AD Ports Group for believing in the vast potential of Aqaba and for sharing our ongoing efforts to stimulate and enhance sustainable economic activity at one of Jordan’s most vital gateways.”

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “We sincerely thank H.E. Tawfiq Kreishan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration, for inaugurating the Aqaba Cruise Terminal under the patronage of the Prime Minister. This new facility seeks to elevate Aqaba’s travel experience and leverage its prime location and growth potential to attract tens of thousands of international visitors to explore Jordan’s top attractions, thereby adding economic value to the coastal city while establishing its position as a destination of choice in the Levant region. We thank our valued partners, namely Aqaba Development Corporation and ASEZA, whose partnership continues to be instrumental in enhancing Aqaba’s position as a leading tourism and business hub.”

H.E. Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation, said: “This strategic partnership serves as a testament to the steadfast collaboration between Jordan and the UAE, firmly positioning Aqaba as a major player within the global arena, while helping promote national plans and drive economic prosperity. Not only that, but the subsequent digital transformation resulting from this partnership will also foster a new ecosystem that significantly enhances the resilience of Aqaba’s maritime sector.”

The Aqaba Cruise Terminal comprises a 700-metre quay wall, passenger and luggage hall, indoor retail spaces, free Wi-Fi, prayer rooms and offices. The ultra-modern facility is a one-stop-shop for multiple government stakeholders serving the cruise business, improving processes, procedures and services and making it an attractive destination for cruise lines, thereby increasing ship call opportunities and passenger volumes, while ultimately boosting the economy at large.

A role model of a successful public-private partnership, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal provides an exceptional travel experience, setting Jordan as a pivotal destination for leisure travellers and signifying economic prosperity. A unique project in the Kingdom, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal will diversify the entry options available for passengers arriving in Jordan and will be an integral part of AD Ports Group’s Marsa Zayed, a mega mixed-use waterfront project comprising residential, retail, F&B, commercial and office spaces, hotel and leisure areas designed to bolster Aqaba’s status as a regional tourism and business hub.

Besides the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, four strategic agreements are planned between AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation regarding Marsa Zayed, Maqta Ayla for the development and operation of an advanced Ports Community System, Aqaba Multipurpose Port and the development, management and operation of King Hussein International Airport, which collectively will help position Aqaba as a major regional destination, as well as a catalyst for investment attraction and economic development.

LGBT+ cruise passengers boost business for Greater Fort Lauderdale’s travel industry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 January 2023 18 January 2023

Greater Fort Lauderdale is preparing to set a new record in February 2023, with four, back-to-back, sold-out LGBT+ cruises welcoming more than 11,500 visitors to the destination. The economic impact of the four cruises from hotel room nights alone is estimated to be at least $8 million according to Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization or Greater Fort Lauderdale. Visitors will arrive here from around the world, with most booking local hotel reservations on both ends of their cruise itinerary for enjoying local restaurants, attractions and shopping while they are here.

“With demand for travel to LGBT+ friendly destinations at an all-time high, our reputation for welcoming ‘everyone under the sun’ has delivered a record-breaking booking of four consecutive LGBT+ cruises of this magnitude,” says Richard Gray, Visit Lauderdale’s senior vice president of inclusion & accessibility.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is Florida’s LGBT+ capital and one of the most progressive destinations in the United States. TravelPulse recently named Greater Fort Lauderdale one of the top 4 places for LGBT+ travelers post-COVID.

In October 2022, Visit Lauderdale unveiled its vibrant, new brand campaign “Everyone Under the Sun,” highlighting Greater Fort Lauderdale’s authentic welcoming vibe and its inclusive community. The destination’s commitment to inclusion is evident in the ads, staring locals of all ethnicities, disabilities and members of the area’s LGBT+ community.

Gray worked with LGBT+ cruise operators Atlantis, VACAYA and Olivia for the past year and promoted the four sailings on visitlauderdale.com/lgbtq/cruises. In addition, he arranged discounted hotel packages with area hoteliers, such as the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Downtown and helped facilitate special marketing initiatives with VACAYA and Olivia.

Atlantis’ voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (February 4-12, 2023) is the largest gay cruise ever, with 5,400 passengers. VACAYA’s cruise package on Celebrity Reflections (February 12-19, 2023) will host 2,300 travelers and Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam will host two cruises for LGBT+ tour operator, Olivia, which is celebrating 50 years of specialized travel packages for lesbians. The cruises (February 19-26, 2023 and February 23-March 5, 2023) will carry a total of 3,800 passengers.

Luxury cruises are big business for Greater Fort Lauderdale, with Port Everglades ranked third among the busiest cruise homeports worldwide.

“Beyond our appreciation for the major economic boost to our economy, we want LGBT+ travelers to know they are truly welcome in our community,” Gray says.