‘We live in a time when there is heightened awareness globally of the environment and in Europe we are moving forward on a number of fronts to find future technology solutions.
‘LNG as an alternative power source for cruise ships is coming to the fore but not everyone will be adopting this so we need to make sure there is active dialogue between lines, ports and suppliers so there is sufficient time to transform from one technology to another,’ he remarked.
Bombings and acts of terrorism are a daily occurance said Anastassiadis and ‘a new reality in our lives’.
The impact on tourism is real: for example there was a drop of 35% in visitors to Paris in 2016.
‘The cruise industry needs to continue to demonstrate it offers a safe and secure environment that allays any fear factors.’
On deployment, Anastassiadis reminded, ‘Mediterranean has been shrinking as a cruise destination in the past three years with the bottom half wiped off and in the last 12 months we have seen the east Med also fall off the map.’
Suddenly the Med cruise map has become Spain, France, Italy and the Greek islands, he countered.
‘We need to create an environment that improves the perception as if we are unable to operate in these areas it will be increasingly difficult to justify ROI on new investments.’
On demographics, Europe is often referred to as the Old World but literally there is an ageing population living longer, he remarked.
How better could we cater to that demographic? he asked.
‘Do we have enough facilities in ports to cater for all ages, including the physically challenged?
As many newbuilds are heading for the new frontier of Asia, in time we need to think about this rising Asian source market coming to Europe and our preparedness.
‘130m Chinese holidayed in 2016. In 2030 that is expected to rise to 230m. We do not see much Chinese signage in European cities and tourist attractions but many of those that come to visit do not speak anything other than Chinese.’
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