Theodora Riga elected as MedCruise President 2024-2027

The MedCruise General Assembly, held in Malaga following Seatrade Cruise Med 2024, also appointed the next board of directors, including Anne-Marie Spinosi from Corsica Ports as SVP, and Laura Cimaglia from the Port of Taranto as VP. Ayan, chief officer at Galataport Istanbul, will continue her involvement with the association as Honorary President and elected board member.

Collective action

‘I firmly believe in the value of collective action, or as we say in Greek "it is in unity, we stand strong"’ declared Riga.

‘With a vision to continue the work we have done so well, we are going to upgrade our activities and achieve even more, together, while ensuring the responsible development of cruising and benefiting all Mediterranean ports and destinations. Through the collective actions of our members and synergies with other associations and institutions (UNTWO, ESPO, AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc.) we partner to maximize the economic, environmental and socially sustainable development of ports, destinations and all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas,’ she added.

20 years in ports and shipping

Born in 1973 in the US, Riga holds an MBA in Business Administration and has held senior managerial positions in port, shipping and financial services companies over the last 20 years.

Riga is on the board of directors of Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping representative on the Hellenic Government's National Cruise Committee.

Board of directors 2024-2027

The newly elected Board members are: Anne-Marie Spinosi, SVP (Corsica Ports, France), Laura Cimaglia VP (Port of Taranto, Italy), Valeria Mangiarotti (Sardinian Ports, Italy), Cristina De Gregori (Port of Genoa/Savona, Italy), Luz Marina Espiau Moreno (Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain), Joško Šupe (Port of Šibenik Authority, Croatia), Dario Barbarić (Dubrovnik Port Authority, Croatia), Maria Belkoleva (Port of Burgas, Bulgaria), Lorenzo Vera Franco (Port Authority of Motril, Spain), Genoveva Climent (Port Authority of Tarragona, Spain), Figen Ayan (Galataport Istanbul, Türkiye), Kyriaki Kampana (Heraklion Port Authority, Greece), Gilson Cruz (Ports of Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde) and Angelos Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).