The first three-day hemispheric conference on cruise tourism and social responsibility (Primera Converencia Hemisférica sobre Turismo de Cruceros y Responsabilidad Social Empresarial) has just taken place in the Argentine port city of Mar del Plata. Alan Lam reports.

The international conference, held on the 8 to 10 April in the port’s cruise terminal (Terminal de Cruceros “Eduardo Tomás Pezzati”), was attended by representatives from various tourism enterprises of the members of Organization of American States, including those of Tourism Ministries of these countries. Cruise lines operating in the region and many Latin American port authorities were among the attendees who discussed various aspects of cruise tourism development in the Americas.

“It will be three intensive days of hard work, promotion and learning,” said Pablo Fernández, President of Mar del Plata Tourist Board, prior to the convention. “We will generate dialogues, debates and discussions on everything that has to do with cruise tourism, from port security to commercial activities.”

One of the main objectives of the conference was to establish a forum for analysis, discussion and exchange of experiences on policies, strategies, cruise operations and social responsibility of all those involved in the business. Moreover, it also aimed to identify practices that would attract cruise businesses and investments in the way that they would benefit communities and destinations, at the same time protect the environment.

Ports and destination development of the region was a focal point of much discussion, side by side with sustainability and social responsibility.

The conference spoke of regional collaboration in developing cruise business and overcoming challenges of the future.