Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Caribbean Village unites to market at Seatrade Europe

8ebf5882e3081ead4eb7c074121fc165
Kathleen Cuffy Jno Jules of Discover Dominica met with MSC Cruises at a past Caribbean Village exhibition
More than 60 representatives from ministries of tourism, tourism authorities, ports and private sector entities from 14 Caribbean territories are set to participate at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg under the Caribbean Village banner.

This joint marketing initiative, in place for many years, sees ports and destinations working together in response to global competition.

'The Caribbean Village continues to play an important role in our cruise marketing efforts and we have seen the benefits resulting from this joint marketing initiative, especially from the European cruise brands,' said Nathan Dundas, gm, Brysons Shipping and chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association.

'The cruise lines appreciate the joint effort we make to reach them collectively as the Caribbean Village,' Dundas added. 'More importantly, what we have recognised is that regional partnership for Caribbean destinations is more critical now than ever if we are to compete effectively with other global cruising regions.'

The Caribbean Village will showcase new infrastructure developments and product enhancements as participants meet with cruise lines.

According to the group, Seatrade Europe has become one of the most important international forums for the region as it seeks to expand its reach and create further inroads into the European market.

For Alberic Ellis, gm, Port Authority of St. Martin, the partnership is an important vehicle: 'Bringing together Caribbean destinations under one pavilion displays unity and strength. This collaboration conceived by the Caribbean Village has not only allowed us to increase our visibility in the European market but it has given us the opportunity to network and bond with key players of the industry,' he said.

'The Caribbean Village has helped us to grow our European business significantly over the years,' added William Tatham, vp cruise shipping and marina operations, Port Authority of Jamaica. 'At the same time we have been able to learn much from our Caribbean partners in a spirit of unity and collaboration.'

This year a new corporate partner, Jamaica-based Lannaman & Morris Shipping, is joining the group and will sponsor coffee breaks in the pavilion.

'Lannaman & Morris Shipping Limited congratulates the Caribbean Village organisers for a job well done in promoting the Caribbean, as a mutual benefit to all,' said Harry Maragh, chairman and ceo. Lannaman & Morris Shipping is in its 45th year of proudly serving all sectors of the cruise industry, he added.