MedCruise forms new Atlantic Isles committee

The committee comprises Lisbon, Cadiz, Madeira, Tenerife, Azores, Leixoes, Cabo Verde, Portimão, Huelva and Canarian ports. 

Atlantic Ports will have a representative on the Board of Directors from the next MedCruise elections in September, to be held in Malaga where the association will gather for Seatrade Cruise Med.

Red Sea 

Members also voted for the formation of the ‘East Med and Red Sea’ category, uniting the two regions. The West Med, Black Sea and Adriatic regions make up the association’s other groupings.  

Record attendance

The opening of the 64th MedCruise General Assembly, held from June 11-14, was in synchrony with the association’s 28th anniversary and the inauguration of Tarragona Cruise Terminal. The event attracted almost 200 delegates, including a record number of cruise line representatives, port and association members, media representatives and travel experts and focused on ‘inclusiveness,’ addressing gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. 

Panels also delved into harmonious and holistic services in MedCruise ports and destinations, strategies to integrate medium sized ports into the cruise itinerary and expedition cruising in the Med.

The conference programme took place in combination with several familiarisation trips, a human tower (castell) workshop, more than 648 B2B meetings, several networking events, as well as a gala dinner.   

‘This General Assembly was even more special for many reasons,’ MedCruise President Figen Ayan explained. ‘Tarragona opened its brand-new terminal building and everyone at our General Assembly celebrated this exciting development together; June 11 was also the 28th birthday of MedCruise.’ 

She added, ‘We had record participation from cruise lines since the foundation of the association in 1996: 26 cruise executives or decision makers from 23 cruise lines dived into this beautiful destination but also created ties with unique ports of the Mediterranean… We are approaching the end of a very active and productive three-year mandate…’ 

The number of port members in the association has grown by almost 10% in two years, with a 50% rise in the quantity of associate members.

‘As MedCruise we would like to thank all the participants and cannot wait to see you all next September at Seatrade Cruise Med in Malaga,' Ayan stated.