It is the first time the association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports has been held a GA in Toulon which was one of MedCruise's founding members in 1996.
The South of France destination is focussed on delivering a high standard of service for visiting cruise ships and passengers and launched a hospitality cruise label - CRUISE FRIENDLY – a few years ago which pools local shop owners, tourism, leisure and culture providers to aim for the same goal: to deliver the best experience ashore so the cruise visitors can keep an unforgettable memory of their day in Toulon.
The CRUISE FRIENDLY innitiative, started in 2013 with 50 partners, has grown to more than 140 partners and is duplicated in some other ports of the Var Provence network and beyond, as it is also running in popular excursion locations in the area, such as Bormes les Mimosas and Le Castellet, informs Delphine Beudin, head of cruise business development Ports of Toulon Bay.
110 calls are expected this year and a special quayside welcome is also offered to visitors on various occasions, she explained.
'For example, a lily of the valley flower was presented to all cruise guests arriving on May 1 in line with French tradition , while a complimentary rose was offered to all women stopping at the information desk inside the terminal on Mother’s Day, and at other times a temporary pétanque pitch (a local Provencal sport) is set up at the quayside along with with local wine and food tasting.'
All these initiatives are paying back, reports Beudin, as according to guest surveys conducted by BVA (a renowned French survey institute) during the past three years (2014-2016) the satisfaction ratings are above 90% (ranging from 91-96% depending on years and seasons).
Highlighted by passengers in the feedback were the kindness of port staff, the quality of information delivered at the information desk inside the terminal, excursion contents and logistics and the friendliness of residents.
According to BVA results, 87% said their visit met all expectations and for 71% it went beyond, whilst 66% of the cruise visitors were willing to return either on board a cruise ship or by their own for a longer stay.
'The whole local community is deeply aware of the huge opportunity cruise tourism brings to Toulon and its surrounds and is looking forward to welcoming the MedCruise community in October,' Beudin told Seatrade.
Ports of Toulon Bay filmed a Day in Toulon Bay short video as part of the pitch to host the next GA.
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