Officials from Metro Cruise Services met this week with the Galveston Island Port of Call Committee to discuss transit calls, itinerary planning and the factors that influence cruise lines' decision-making.
Metro president Stefano Borzone and SVP business development Juan Trescastro, previously a VP with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., addressed the committee that was formed in mid-2017.
At the meeting the 12-member committee discussed future branding and marketing initiatives, excursion development and outreach to cruise lines, and reported on the development of a strategic business plan to encourage passengers to go ashore and purchase tours, visit gift shops and restaurants and explore downtown.
'We are working together to make Galveston a popular destination by encouraging cruise lines to call here, allowing their passengers to spend a full day and night exploring the island and all the magnificent cultural and historical sites that Galveston has to offer,' said Ted O'Rourke, chairman of the Wharves Board.
The committee meets monthly and is comprised of members of the Galveston Wharves Board, led by vice chairman Albert Shannon, the Port of Galveston's new port director/CEO Rodger Rees, port staff and prominent business owners, officials and representatives from the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce.
They are Kelly de Schaun, executive director of the Park Board of Trustees; Gina Spagnola, president of the Galveston Island Regional Chamber of Commerce; business owners Keith Bassett, Mike Dean and Ross Grief; former Park Board trustee William 'Buzz' Elton; Maureen Patton, executive director, The Grand 1894 Opera House; John Peterlin, Port of Galveston senior director of marketing and administration; Joe Rozier, Mitchell Properties; and Quinn Bussey, Landry's Inc.
Last April Phoenix Reisen's Amadea stopped at Galveston on its first US call as part of a worldwide itinerary. The ship arrived with approximately 600 passengers and 200 crew. Staff members from the port, Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Grand 1894 Opera House were on hand to welcome passengers and distribute information.
Several shore excursions were offered, including a visit to Moody Gardens and tours of Space Center Houston. Passengers were also offered the opportunity to discover the shopping and entertainment possibilities of the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport District.
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