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Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum: Greece's cruising prospects positive despite regional geopolitical challenges

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 May 2019 29 May 2019

The prospects for the growth of the cruise industry in East Med are positive but still need much to improve in terms of safety and security for the sector to fully capitalize on its unique advantages.

This was the main message conveyed during the first day of the 5th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum that opened on Tuesday, May 28 at Domotel Kastri Conference Centre in Athens, where ministers, representatives of international cruise associations, cruise lines, destination authorities and decision makers gathered to debate the state of the industry and share their views and insights on the trends shaping sea tourism in the regions of South East Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

“Greece is at a crossroads of the cruise sector’s development trajectory and the ongoing privatization of the country’s ports is constantly opening new bespoke investment opportunities for industry players from around the globe with the intent and vision to further develop and enhance their offering for the benefit of cruise passengers,” said Fotis Kouvelis, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.

“Greece will move ahead with concessions regarding port-specific sectors including terminals and we are inviting international cruise lines and port operators to identify the investment opportunities matching their specific interests.”

Greece accounts for 10% of the Mediterranean region’s port calls, a significant number globally considering that the region is second only to the Caribbean in terms of fleet deployment. And according to Airam Diaz Pastor, President MedCruise, the country and the East Med region in generally set to benefit from a 22.2% increase in passenger numbers and 19.8% growth in port calls projected for the entire Mediterranean in 2019. “The region is seeing a golden age in terms of growth and the planned deployment of some 25 new luxury ships that are coming to the market soon will provide a fresh impetus giving smaller ports the opportunity to offer something different,” he added.

MSC, the biggest cruise line in the Mediterranean Sea with 15.07% of the market is also bullish on the prospects of East Med as a cruise destination where it plans to increase capacity by 25%. “We really like this region with its natural beauty its diverse cultural and rich historical attractions, yet we still remain conscious of certain geopolitical challenges that will keep us away from the Turkish market at least for now,” said Charles Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group.

“The lack of political stability in the wider region, with its geopolitical hotspots of Northern Africa and elsewhere take some convincing to operate there. We are still not convinced that it would be responsible for us to take our passengers there. You have to win the hearts and minds of tourists whose confidence is broken due to events in the region.”

Safety and security is a key issue also for Cyprus having lost 85% of cruise passengers since 2010 in spite of a significant uplift in the number of tourists visiting the island.

But as the Tourism Deputy Minister for Cyprus Savvas Perdios said during his Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum keynote speech, the island nation is eyeing a larger share of the market. “Cyprus is ready to pull its weight since we launched a ministry dedicated to our tourism industry five months ago. We have pinpointed safety and security as our number one priority for the growth of our tourism product and earmarked the cruise sector as a top ten strategic pillars in our 2030 strategy.”

Tom Broadley, Secretary General, CLIA Europe gave a different sort of a top ten list, describing the emerging trends likely to shape the future of the cruise industry globally. Highlights include the aptly dubbed Instagrammable Cruising, which helps spread awareness about this holiday alternative, Achievement over Experience, where passengers seek to learn a new skill like cooking or dancing during their cruise, and Conscious Travel, according to which passengers are mindful about the environmental impact caused by cruise ships which dictates the ways they interact with the communities at the destinations they visit.

Other topics tabled during the Forum include the prospects of cruising in the East Med, partnerships between ships, ports and destinations for sustainable tourism, the region’s potential to offer year-round cruise products and the overall impact from the dramatic growth of mainstream cruise ship sizes.

The Forum is being attended by 200 delegates including Senior Executives from MSC Cruises, Carnival Group, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Holland America Group, Silversea Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line and Celestyal Cruises and representatives of regional ports and destinations.

The 5th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy and is supported by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, CLIA Europe, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MEDCRUISE), the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association, the Greek Marinas Association, the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members, the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist and Travel Agencies (fedHATTA). Gold Sponsor is the Greek National Tourism Organisation. Silver sponsors are the Piraeus Port Authority, HEMEXPO and the Thessaloniki Port Authority, Bronze Sponsors are Air France – KLM, Aktina Travel Group, Celestyal Cruises, Global Ports Holding and Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services and Supporters are the Athens International Airport and FBIS Security.

Super early bird registration opens for Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 May 2019 29 May 2019

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe is the first interactive trade fair for cruise ship design, newbuild and refurbishment. Premiering on 4-5 December 2019, the event provides a gateway for interior designers, architects, outfitters, shipyards and interior suppliers to meet with Europe’s ocean, river and expedition cruise line market players working on major refurbishment and newbuild projects.

“I’m looking forward to Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe and am pleased to be on the Advisory Board and offering my full support to this highly focused event.” – Andrea Bartoli, principle manager of outfitting, Carnival Corporation

Taking place in one of Europe’s most historically creative cities, the two-day event will unite cruise lines, shipyards, outfitters and design studios to enjoy networking opportunities, a show floor of more than 150 IMO-certified suppliers – including Bolidt, Forbo Flooring Systems and Shores Global – and insightful conference sessions.

Registration for Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe will be rolled out in stages, beginning with the free super early bird registration, which opens on Tuesday 28 May 2019. Attendees who register during the free super early bird period will benefit from the following perks:

– Fast-track registration

– Bag/coat check

– Access to the 2020 CSI Awards Finalists Reception

– Downloadable conference sessions post-show

– Use of B2B matchmaking service

Super early bird registration will run for two months, ending on 26 July 2019. Participants hoping to attend Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe are urged to register now to avoid missing out on valuable networking opportunities, including the official launch party and B2B matchmaking service.

Viking Line names its newbuild Viking Glory

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2019 27 May 2019

This past spring, Viking Line held a major contest to come up with a name for the line's new cruise ferry. Thousands suggestions were received from Sweden, Finland, Åland and the rest of the world. Of these, ten finalists were chosen, which some 30,000 people have now voted on. As of today, 27 May 2019, Viking Line announces that the new vessel will be named Viking Glory.

"In 2021, passengers will be able to enjoy an entirely new cruise experience on the Baltic when Viking Line launches its new, climate-smart vessel. The new ship, which will sail the route between Turku, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, is currently under construction in Xiamen, China. Before the ship was to be christened under her new name, the heads of the shipping line turned to the public to come up with one," Viking Line said in a statement.

"The level of engagement has exceeded all our expectations - we are so pleased and grateful for the thousands of people who took the time to help us out with this. We look forward to continue building this cruise ship of the future," says Gustaf Eklund, Head of Business Development and in charge of development of the new vessel at Viking Line.

The prize for each of the top ten finalists who participated in competition is a trip on the maiden voyage of the new vessel. The finalist who came up with the name Glory will be treated to a trip for two on the maiden voyage in 2021. Viking Line will be contacting all ten winners in week 22. A total of 22,500 people submitted name suggestions, while some 30,000 voted for the winning entry.

Brands debut innovative products at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2019 25 May 2019

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo, the world’s first highly focused event dedicated exclusively to interior design, architecture, and outfitting for the cruise industry, will welcome industry-leading marine interior suppliers to debut their most innovative products on June 19 and 20, 2019, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, FL, USA.

Exhibitors participating in the inaugural event include MJM Marine, Trimline, SMC Design, Gerflor Group, Bolidt, Studio DADO, Shores Global, Brintons, and Chelsom. On the show floor, exhibitors will debut the newest products to hit the market and provide details of the services they offer.

To help attendees gain further insights and understanding of what the exhibitors have to offer, Cruise Ship Interiors Expo will host 16 live product demos on the show floor. Taking place across two days, prominent industry names will showcase their most innovative products available to the marine market. Each 15-minute session will see attendees directed to the exhibitors’ booths throughout the expo hall. Demonstrations taking place include:

– Grohe (booth 333) presents a revolutionary way to enjoy water using its new Grohtherm SmartControl technology.
– Forbo Flooring Systems (520) offers design inspiration in the form of Flotex FR, a textile flocked floor covering that meets all IMO standards.
– Dianthus Miami (319) will show attendees how to create their own living-wall floral arrangements with the help of its master florist, Walter Vermeulen.
– Fil Doux Textiles (348) offers a sustainable way to create high-quality, IMO-certified materials with its innovative Vinylife feature.
– Luxuryspa (727) presents its signature whirlpool spas and hot tubs, ideal for any space indoor or out.

Québec cruise passenger numbers hit new record high

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 May 2019 23 May 2019

On May 16th, Caroline Proulx, Québec Minister of Tourism, unveiled cruise passenger numbers for Destination Saint Lawrence. The cumulative total of 488,797 passenger-days logged in 2018 represents a new record high for Québec’s ever burgeoning cruise industry. The 2019 season, which launched only recently, is set to become the longest since international cruise ships first began sailing the waters of the Saint Lawrence, extending from an early spring stopover on April 28th in the Magdalen Islands to a late fall call into port on November 2nd at Saguenay.

Passenger numbers in 2018 increased 26% over the corresponding figure for the year previous. The total of 488,797 passenger-days and 193 041 crew combined to propel destination traffic to new heights. The 41 ships which operated on the Saint Lawrence spent 541 days in port in the nine Saint Lawrence ports of call. These impressive achievements speak volumes about Québec’s capacity to carve a place for itself in international cruise circles and build global recognition.

Now under way, 2019 is shaping up to be as successful as 2018, with the early spring arrival of Hurtigruten’s Fram, followed closely by Holland America’s Zaandam. As the season progresses, Destination Saint Lawrence will welcome four new cruise lines, namely TUI Cruises of Germany, MSC Cruises of Italy, Scenic Cruises of Australia and Peace Boat of Japan. Scheduled to operate itineraries originating in the United States, these new companies will help diversify our customer base.

Over the years, Destination Canada New England, which includes the member ports of the Saint Lawrence, has secured a position of choice in the rapidly growing international cruise industry. Cruise ship construction continues unabated with a mix of larger liners and smaller expedition vessels due to enter into service in the years ahead. Given the breadth of destination offerings, Cruise the Saint Lawrence is well poised to cater to the needs of a diversity of traveller profiles. Going forward, our association will continue to provide for sustained, soundly managed growth, while devising and deploying a strategy intended to transform the Saint Lawrence into a year‑round cruise destination, winter included!

Cruise the Saint Lawrence is a sectoral organization which groups together the nine ports of call located along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River. The mission of the organization is to grow cruise market activities in Québec and across Destination Canada New England through the provision of marketing and development services to members. Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the support of partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada.