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MedCruise BoD members assume their new rolesMedCruise BoD members assume their new roles

MedCruise President Theodora Riga will take on additional duties while the association’s board of directors expands by two members, welcoming representatives from the Atlantic region.

Holly Payne, Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

January 20, 2025

3 Min Read
Theodora-Riga-president-MedCruise
Theodora Riga, president of MedCruise, will include strategic alliances, including collaboration with other associations, to her list of responsibilities. PHOTO: MEDCRUISE / PORT OF THESSOLONIKI

Members of MedCruise’s new board of directors assumed their respective positions, with president of the association, Theodora Riga, adding a further duty to the scope of her role. 

Riga will include strategic alliances, including collaboration with other associations, to her list of responsibilities and will work in close cooperation with Serafin Blazquez, director for port, terminal & asset operations at Cruise Saudi. 

New board members 

The board has expanded to include two additional members from the Atlantic region.  

Gilson Cruz, commercial & marketing GM, Port of Cabo Verde, is responsible for regional development in the Atlantic region while Luz Marina Espiau, head of commercial division and business development, Port of Tenerife, handles digitalisation and innovation for the association. 

Genoveva Climent, commercial & business development director, Port of Tarragona, oversees destination development, Angelos Vlachos, CEO, Port of Kavala, handles associate membership, and Kyriaki Kampana, head of planning & development, sees professional development courses come under her remit. 

Port of Sibenik’s deputy GM, Josko Supe, and Port of Dubrovnik’s head of department for security, development and maintenance of port infrastructure and environmental protection, Dario Barbaric, also joined the board. Supe will oversee finance & funding programmes while Barbaric will manage health, safety and security. 

Related:Theodora Riga elected as MedCruise President 2024-2027

Laura Cimaglia, MedCruise VP and Port of Taranto’s director of general and international affairs, will look after cruise community engagement while on the board. 

Maria Belkoleva, chairman of the board of directors for the Port Burgas, will be the MedCruise board member for regional development in the Black Sea. 

Tolga Tuncay, port director, Port of Galataport Istanbul, is tasked with regional development in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea. 

Familiar faces

Anne Marie Spinosi, MedCruise SVP and cruise manager at Corsica Ports, remains board member for PR, events & the MedCruise partnership programme, and Cristina De Gregori, communication and marketing, Port of Genoa/Savona, continues in her brand, strategic communications & marketing role. 

Valeria Mangiarotti, marketing manager at the Port Network Authority of the Sardinian Sea, will again manage sustainability & environmental energy policies. She will continue to work closely with former board member for ecosystem and sustainability, Jamil Ouazzani, director of marketing & strategic intelligence at the Port of Tangier, on work began during the last mandate. 

Lorenzo Vera, commercial development manager, Port of Motril-Granada, moves from VP professional development during the last mandate to heading up economic impact assessments. 

‘Wealth of experience’

The board's tasks have evolved to achieve the strategic targets of the association.

‘I am delighted and honoured to be working alongside such a great team of people, for the benefit of the association and the cruise industry as a whole,’ Riga remarked. 

‘There is a wealth of experience in this team with a great set of skills. Together we look forward to building up on the great work of the past mandates of the association and continuing to grow and serve our members.’ 

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About the Author

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

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