Chile's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Plass, along with Nicola Bateman and Christophe Cahen of the Seatrade organising committee and Sebastián Montero, president of the Southern Cone Ports Corporation, began preparations this morning to receive the international cruise convention in ValparaÃso. On this occasion, the tourism authority confirmed that Chile will be the official headquarters of the third Latin American edition of the Seatrade event.
"We are a country that presents great opportunities for the cruise industry," Plass said. "As a result, we are committed to recovering competitiveness, and we are developing new strategies to expand this type of tourism, generating new routes, preparing touristic destinations with quality services, and enhancing the diversity of the attractions that visitors encounter in our territory."
Holding this event in Chile will attract visitors to the country through the concept of cruise tourism, promoting Chile in specific markets throughout the world and promoting the creation of alliances and international agreements.
Bateman, member of the convention's organising committee, stated that "we are delighted to come to Chile for the third version of Seatrade Latin America Cruise Convention. Building on the momentum of the previous two events the convention provides the important and necessary platform the region needs to bring key stakeholders together. Latin America offers not only a growing source market but the potential as a year-round destination. Gathering in Chile next May will help to unlock some of the many opportunities, including further development of the pacific coast."
Montero emphasised the convention's relevance for the cruise industry, saying, "We are happy to receive this news, since we are in a good position – at the country level – to be hosting a great convention of cruises. This activity acknowledges the work that has been done, which has succeeded in reducing the tariffs on lighthouses and beacons, and permitted the use of casinos on board, among other achievements. All involved have made this effort, so we can receive this initiative with open arms, providing an excellent showcase for the continent."
Seatrade Latin America is a specialised convention, whose business model is a commercial platform for suppliers and buyers of tourism services from around the world, both on land and at sea.
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Editor's notes
About Seatrade:
Connecting the global cruise community – seatrade-global.com
Established 40 years ago, Seatrade is a leader in cruise and maritime publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects. Regular events include international trade exhibitions and conferences across all maritime sectors, management training courses for shipping professionals, training seminars for travel agents and award schemes, including the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards. Seatrade publications include magazines, supplements and yearbooks, whilst Seatrade Insider provides daily cruise news online at seatrade-insider.com
Press contact:
Nicola Bateman, Seatrade
Seatrade House
42 North Station Road
Colchester
CO1 1RB
UK
Tel: +44 1206 545 121
Fax: +44 1206 545 190
Email: [email protected]
