Cruise associations announce coalition at Seatrade Cruise Med

It will complement the five founding associations. 

The surprise declaration was made during the 'Common Ground: Port Association Dialogue' session moderated Roger Blum, principal, Cruise & Port Advisors Inc. at Seatrade Cruise Med on Wednesday.

The event takes place at the Trade Fairs & Congress Center of Málaga, Spain from September 11-12.

Tackling overtourism

Simone Maraschi, recently elected chairman of Cruise Europe and MD Cruise Gate Hamburg, said the partner associations understand the challenges faced by their members and believe they can find innovative solutions by working together. 

Alluding specifically to concerns of overtourism at some European destinations, Maraschi said the new coalition aims to work closely with cruise lines, Cruise Lines International Association and other industry stakeholders to form strategies that support the cruise sector and balance cruise tourism and the needs of locals. 

He said the partner associations were advocating for a responsible approach to cruising, respecting guests and communities, protecting natural heritage and contributing to local communities. 

Maraschi was joined by Figen Ayan, president, MedCruise, Monica Berstad, MD, Cruise Norway, Klaus Bondam, director, Cruise Baltic and Ian McQuade, chairman, Cruise Britain for the announcement. 

Related:Cruise lines talk port investment, regulations and regional shifts

Partnering for Progress

The declaration reflected the theme of this year's Seatrade Cruise Med: Partnering for Progress. 

Prior to the announcement, the representatives revealed they work closely, and regard their respective associations as complementary to one another. 

The associations also encouraged their members to cooperate; while neighbouring ports may be competitors, they must work together to solve common regulatory challenges, and more, said Berstad. 

McQuade and Ayan also stressed the relevance of association members joining forces to create a powerful network. The move to include Turkish Airlines as an associate member of MedCruise, for example, has resulted in the airline gaining additional business in crew transfers, Ayan explained. 

Maraschi highlighted the importance of data-sharing in the context of fact-based communication related to sustainability issues, and reminded the audience of the usefulness of the associations' data during the Covid pandemic. 

Promoting destinations 

Marketing remains an important part of the associations’ activities, complementing the individual activities of the member ports and destinations. Bondam said Cruise Baltic aimed to build an 'image umbrella,' and is especially keen to help its smaller members build up relationships with cruise lines. 

He agreed with Maraschi and Berstad on the importance of familiarisation trips which remain crucial to promoting a destination and highlighting differences between ports. 

McQuade said joining an association helped new ports to enter the cruise sector and to build relationships quickly.

Dual membership 

Ayan outlined the benefits of dual membership of some associations, claiming it would help ports and destinations to see and approach challenges from different perspectives. 

Recognition for services to cruise 

Following the announcement of the formation of the coalition of European cruise ports and destinations, two industry stalwarts were honoured for their commitment to Europe's cruise industry: four months after stepping down as the chair of Cruise Europe, Michael McCarthy received a plaque of honour from Seatrade Cruise for his 12-year term.  

A further plaque was awarded to Ayan for her three-year term at MedCruise;  on September 13, the association will elect its new president and board of directors for the next three years.