Seeking government support to developing cruise tourism in Chile

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 July 2015 27 July 2015

With a view of finding support from the state level to more effectively develop cruise tourism in Chile, various representatives from the Corporation of Southern Cone Ports (le Corporación de Puertos del Cono Sur) – an association of ports and terminals formed for a purpose of promoting cruise business in Chile - met with Javiera Montes, the country’s Sub-secretary of Tourism, to explore viable ways forward. Alan Lam reports.

Chile’s cruise business potentials have always been limited by its peculiar geography. The meeting, held recently in the Ministry of Economy offices in Santiago, was chaired by Javiera Montes and Ignacio Covacevich, President of the Corporation, aimed to establish state and legislative supports for the relatively stagnating Chilean cruise industry. It was attended by Estaban Bilbao, Director of the Corporation, and Sabastián Montero, the executive director of the same organisation.

“It is important,” said Ignacio Covacevich, “that the state’s principal tourism authority supports our efforts - together with our experience and knowledge gained throughout the years in the cruise industry - in propelling further growth in tourism activities of our nation.”

One of the main objectives of this meeting was to recognise the Corporation’s achievements in recent years, which included having successfully negotiated a reduction in navigation fees, liberating regulatory controls of onboard casinos in Chilean waters, and organising Chile’s presence in various global cruise trade fairs.

Chile receives about 3.5 million tourists each year, of which only about 350,000 are cruise related. The main aim of this meeting was to find a path of cooperation between the Corporation and the state to increase cruise tourism in Chile. Both parties agreed to work closely hereafter, to generate and share information relating to cruise tourism.

The issue of cabotage was on the table. “Our objective was to communicate to the Sub-secretary,” said Ignacio Covacevich, “that the future cruise industry in Chile depends on opening of a passenger cabotage.”

“On the global level,” explained Ignacio Covacevich, “more than 90% of the itineraries are of seven days or shorter. The itineraries operating in Chile, mostly on the Valparaíso-Buenos Aires trajectory, last 14 days. A passenger cabotage will allow shorter itineraries, permitting international cruise lines to embark and disembark within Chilean territories. This will substantially increase cruise activities in the country.” However, he stressed that, this move must protect the interests of the national cruise industry.

Silversea relocates from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 24 July 2015 24 July 2015

Silversea Cruises yesterday confirmed plans to relocate its Americas office from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, Florida. The move is currently scheduled for late 2015. The company, which maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, and Sydney, with its global headquarters in Monte Carlo, will move all staff currently working in the Fort Lauderdale office to new, first generation, Class A office space in the Wells Fargo Center, a world-class office high-rise located where downtown meets the upscale Brickell area, a short distance from what is arguably the world's busiest cruise port and within a few short miles of Miami International Airport.

Kristian Anderson, Silversea's senior vice president and general manager for the Americas, said: "Miami is recognised in the cruise industry as being the 'cruise capital' of the world. So we're pleased to have found a building in the heart of the city that reflects the best of our brand and is able to meet our current and future expansion needs. Of course, as a LEED Gold-certified sustainable office building, our new location will provide a healthy, productive and beautiful work environment for our employeesin what has become a truly vibrant, world-class city."

Silversea Cruises launched its first ship in 1994 and currently operates a fleet of eight ships. The company recently announced plans to launch a new flagship, Silver Muse, in early 2017.

Michelle Sutter to serve as Fathom's senior sales leader

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 24 July 2015 24 July 2015

Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel, has named 15-year cruise industry veteran Michelle Sutter as a company senior sales leader. In this role, Sutter will be responsible for marketing and business development supporting sales of Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand that is pioneering the new category of social impact travel. Sutter joined the company in July reporting to David Drier, vice president, sales for Fathom.
 
“Michelle is a results oriented leader and business partner who successfully cultivates and expands authentic, meaningful relationships,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. “She is committed to collaborating with travel professional partners to help them grow their businesses by successfully marketing and selling more unique products and services. She also has a demonstrated track record and passion focusing her unique gifts and talents to make a difference in the world – she has chaired several community fundraising initiatives and served on boards benefitting children’s charities and organizations. Her outstanding business development skills coupled with her dedication to societal impact make Michelle an ideal addition to our team.”
 
Sutter joins the Fathom team from Holland America Line and Seabourn where she was business development manager since early 2013, where she was responsible for increasing travel professional sales and market share for the company and exceeding established revenue objectives on a regular basis. In 2014, Holland America Line recognized Sutter with the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award. Prior to that, Sutter served in several sales roles of increasing responsibility at Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International where she was the recipient of numerous sales awards.
 
“It is exciting to get in on the ground floor of Fathom, working with a visionary executive team who deeply understands the desire to do good in the world, and who created this unique brand to address the real hunger to help others,” said Sutter. “I look forward to helping travel professionals meet the growing demand from travelers eager to immerse themselves in new cultures where they can learn, serve and flourish while making enduring, sustainable contributions on a scalable and systematic basis.”
 
A resident of Vancouver, Canada, Sutter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American studies and Spanish from Simon Fraser University. She also actively supports the Umoja Operation Compassion Society by working with low-income immigrants living in British Columbia. Sutter is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Pullmantur appoints new Director for Latin America

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 24 July 2015 24 July 2015

Pullmantur Cruises, the Spain and Latin America focused cruise line, has just appointed Alejandro Páez as its new Director for Latin America. Alan Lam reports.

Despite the recent setback caused by the decision of its holding company - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. - not to transfer the originally intended vessel, the Majesty of the Seas, to its Spanish brands, which would have boosted the line’s capacity disproportionately, Pullmantur’s ambitious international expansion programme does not seem to have been hindered, as it continues its incursions into its traditional fertile market territories.

This new appointment not only re-enforces the line’s existing business in Latin America, it aims at further exploring this market, which currently represents at least 50% of the group’s over all revenues.

One of the specific aims of this appointment is to seek out new itinerary opportunities in the Antilles and Southern Caribbean, near Alejandro Páez’s home country of Venezuela, a territory that will be served by the brand’s flag ship, the Monarch, from September.

Educated in the UK and the USA, with a background in marketing, communications, and hotel management, Alejandro Páez has been touted by the group as ideal for this role.