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Over 2,500 participants expected to attend Seatrade Cruise Med in Lisbon

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Welcome poster from Port of Lisbon hosts of Seatrade Cruise Med 2018
Over 2,500 participants, including 200-plus cruise line executives, are expected to attend Seatrade Cruise Med 2018, taking place in Lisbon this week.

The world’s largest cruise industry event focussed on the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas is this year hosted by the Port of Lisbon Authority and supported by MedCruise and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

In addition to Seatrade Cruise News coverage, live updates from the exhibition show floor and conference will be appearing over the course of this week on our Live Blog. Join the conversation #STCMed.

Today, participants will take part in fam trips to tourist attractions in and around Lisbon and visits to Lisbon’s new cruise terminal and in the evening, the MedCruise VIP and Seatrade Cruise Med speakers dinner takes place.

Part of Portugal Shipping Week

The two full day event follows on September 19 and 20, featuring a showcase exhibition, conference and a full networking programme. It is an integral element of the Portugal Shipping Week and also the platform for the General Assembly of MedCruise which takes place on September 21.

200+ cruise line execs and managers registered

To date, over 200 cruise line executives and cruise shipmanagers have already confirmed attendance, including AIDA Cruises; APT Touring; Azamara Club Cruises; Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services; Carnival Cruise Lines; Carnival UK; Celestyal Cruises; Columbia Cruise Services; Costa Cruises; CroisiEurope; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Disney Cruise Line; Fred Olsen Cruise Lines; FTI Cruises; Genting Hong Kong; Global Cruise Lines Ltd; Holland America Group; Hurtigruten; Marella Cruises; MSC Cruises; Mystic Cruises; Noble Caledonia; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Norwegian Cruise Line; National Geographic Expeditions; Ponant; Princess Cruises; Pullmantur Cruceros; Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; Saga Cruises; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours; Sea Cloud Cruises; SeaDream Yacht Club; Silversea Cruises; Star Clippers; TUI Cruises; V.Ships Leisure; Viking Cruises; Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.

President of Port of Lisbon Authority, Lidia Sequeira stated that: ‘To host this prestigious event is recognition of the work we have been doing in the cruise sector for many years. The hope is that this event will give an important boost to the local and national economy of this sector, especially now that Lisbon is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to welcome all the cruise ships and their guests.’

Lisbon Cruise Terminal visit

As part of the Seatrade Cruise Med itinerary, attendees will be able to visit the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which opened its berths late in 2017. Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), operator of the cruise facilities in the Portuguese capital and part of Global Ports Holding, invested approximately €22m in the new terminal building.

The two day event includes an international exhibition which is a mix of ports, with nearly 50 represented, and destinations, tourism authorities, cruise associations, ground handlers, tour operators, port agents and technical equipment showcasing their products and services to the cruise industry.

Key conference topics

Alongside the exhibition is a comprehensive and refreshing look into industry trends impacting the regional cruise industry. With hand-picked speakers from across the industry, the topics will include:

  • Keynote Addresses – Industry Update by CLIA and Mediterranean update by MedCruise president, Airam Diaz Pastor;
  • A look at the State of the Industry with top line cruise execs and Diaz Pastor, sponsored by Andalucia and Costa de Almeria;
  • Meeting Future Demand in the Med and its Adjoining Seas;
  • How the industry deals with air emission challenges;
  • Hidden Gems uncovered, sponsored by Greek National Tourism Organisation;
  • How new-build luxury yachts are impacting the upscale market in the Med;
  • Making cruising welcome - a debate on challenges facing the cruise industry in ports and cities concerning over tourism and sustainability;
  • The growing trend for the expedition cruise experience;
  • How the industry is turning to new technologies and innovations

Initiatives on the show floor include an Excellence Theatre with a series of Headway Talks and an immersive experience dome, brought to Lisbon by Immersive Adventures, where a series of presentations will take place in a 10x10mtr dome.

20 under 40 winners

On Day 2 will be the unveiling of the winners in the ‘20 under 40’ competition, which was launched by Seatrade Cruise News and sponsored by TVG Travel, to find 20 professionals from the global cruise industry who are under the age of 40 and already proved to be extraordinary at work.

The announcement and presentation of the final 20 will take place on September 20 at the Excellence Theatre.

At the welcoming reception on the evening of September 19, the Seatrade Cruise Awards, principal sponsor Oracle Hospitality, will be presented.

Event sponsors and supporters

Principal regional sponsors of Seatrade Cruise Med include: República Portuguesa-Mar; Lisboa Câmara Municipal; Turismo de Portugal; Turismo de Lisboa; Lisbon Cruise Port; ANA Aeroportas de Portugal.

Sponsors include: Andalucía – Costa de Almeria; Caribbean Village; Delta Cafés; Docapesca; DP World; Gibraltar Tourist Board; Global Ports Holding; Greek National Tourism Organisation; Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services; Pasteis De Belém; Qatar Tourism Authority; Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur; ViaVerde and Wärtsilä.

Supporters include: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).   Official Carrier is TAP Air Portugal; The Media Sponsor is: BBC World News; Official Hotel is Olissipo Hotels; Mercy Ships is the Seatrade Cruise Med Chosen Charity; Sustainability Partner is EPAL.