An overview of the main activities and highlights of MedCruise in 2022

MedCruise Association, along with its 12 board members, appreciates the visionary approach of its founding Mediterranean ports – Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Corsica, Cyprus Ports, Livorno, Monaco, Piraeus, Tarragona, Valletta, Venice and Volos – who from 1996 identified the challenges and high demand of the growing cruise industry.

For over 26 years, owing to its efforts and the dedicated professionals within the cruise industry, MedCruise has been positioned as the largest cruise port and destination association in the world. The Association is honored to share that from 140 ports and 35 associate members, it has grown to 150 ports and 47 associate members from 22 countries in just one year.

The number of members continued to increase because MedCruise gained back the confidence of some members, plus the Association responded to the expectations of all members, whatever their nationality within the new mandate.

The 12 tasks of the 12-board members are reflective of the holistic approach that the elected president and elected board members have towards MedCruise members and the cruise industry, in order to create sustainable ports, destinations, seas and planet.

Francesca Antonelli, professional development senior VP, #MedCruisePDC; Lorenzo Vera, destination development VP, #MedCruiseDestinations; Silvia Coppolino, port & city relationship, #MedCruise&Cities; Jamil Ouazzani, ecoSystem & sustainability, #MedCruise4OurPlanet

Anne-Marie Spinosi, events & #PortsTogether activities, #PortsTogether; Aziz Gungor, health, safety & security, #MedCruiseSafePorts; Theodora Riga, European Union & association collaborations, #MedCruiseCollaborations; Valeria Mangiarotti, technical environmental solutions, #GreenMedCruise

Elisa Zamora, membership & sponsorship, #Welcome2MedCruise; Doru Mihai, regional development, #MedCruiseRevival; Cristina de Gregori, PR, communication & marketing, #CruiseTheMed; Aris Batsoulis, project studies & finances, #MedCruiseResource

Sustainability is at the core of the mandate, the most important pillar of our Association, and it is approached in a holistic, human manner. Collaboration, innovation and implementation of different actions define the #MedCruise4OurPlanet vision. MedCruise collaborates with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) on the sustainable destination criteria and with the European Commission by participating in different forums, networks, working groups and advisory committees. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a strong partner, too; joint initiatives to promote sustainable cruise activities in the Med and its adjoining seas will subsequently be developed, and MedCruise has set Fit for 55 at the centre of discussions as a common target.

MedCruise is supporting its activities with research, studies, and projects to develop its knowledge of the industry and shape respective strategies (port tariff study, environmental studies, maps etc.) In addition to studies on the social-economic impact on the cruise sector that MedCruise has been developing in collaboration with Bocconi University, Italy, MedCruise was recently funded by the European Commission to identify joint/integrated strategies and solutions for preventing and minimising the potential polluting impacts of cruise and tourism activities on the Mediterranean hydrosphere.

As a first, MedCruise is continuing to develop a data governance project on the potential and value of using data in our modern world. The data governance will not only visualise data but implement a data governance structure that will help the organisation tackle a no man’s land head-on and assist in taking micro and macro decisions based on accurate and updated data. Comprehending and visually consuming goals, KPI’s, growth potentials, and process improvements will foster collaboration between ports and help to achieve a better and more detailed understanding of passenger needs, port growth opportunities, and connection of ports to all its stakeholders of the cruise industry.

Communication and collaboration strategies for positive impact on the cruise industry are an innate and necessary approach as a leading port association. MedCruise succeeded in being a bridge between the Turkish and Greek governments for the opening of borders; it will continue to seek interactions with EU institutions and influence the decisions of the European Community to collaborate and develop common actions with other Associations. MedCruise continuously follows and actively contributes to the discussions and works of the European Forums and Groups that MedCruise belongs to as a member: European Ports Forum (EPF), European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF), European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), Cruise and Ferry Port Network (CFPN). The European Commission has invited MedCruise to participate in the peer review group of the EC Charter of good practices for sustainable cruise tourism.

MedCruise members at the 61st MedCruise General Assembly in Málaga, Spain – September 2022

Bringing members together, along with cruise lines or key executives of the industry, has been remarkably achieved with initiatives such as online Morning Coffees, Professional Development Courses and social activities that are designed to cover contemporary, dynamic, and relevant matters and/or issues within the cruise industry.

Collaborations with tour guide associations, tour buses, chambers of commerce and destination authorities have already been initiated. Special programs are currently being shaped within the Destination Development strategy and the cruise lines are amazed by our sensitive and proactive approach, not as a port but as destinations, including the hinterland.

In the same philosophy, the issues that format the strategic relationship between the port and the city and create collaborations for common interests are all discussed in depth in working groups. Constructive dialogues, partnerships, synergies, joint research and development initiatives are instrumental for the association and the world. AIVP, the worldwide network of port cities, is a core partner. Together, a joint Working Group focused on sustainable port-city relationships and cruises has launched, with the main goal of reflecting and sharing good practices that can facilitate a better coexistence between port cities and cruises. Collaborative projects will always have the support of the Association, such as the Adrijo project, with the participation of Ancona, Venice, Trieste, Ravenna, Rijeka, Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Split. This project is a benchmark project which promotes new forms of sustainable tourism connected to the appreciation of local cultural heritage.

As another first, sponsorship opportunities are offered to MedCruise members first, then to stakeholders and partners of the industry. The decision for a second income stream is taken to support the decision for the continuance of the 20% discount on membership fees (a decision that has been applied since 2013) but, above all, to respond to the significant increase in the activities of our Association. Our cruise media partners have always been of tremendous help for the cruise lines to know our destinations and ports better, and we all feel truly thankful for the fantastic words which poured from their pens. MedCruise’s PR and Marketing activities went beyond our industry, and some of our ports and the association were featured in the international press, by influencers, and on broadcasting platforms such as NTV, Diario del Puerto, Financial Times, Ladevi – Agencia de Viajes LATAM, TRT World, Forbes… More to come.

For more information contact: [email protected]

Become a member of MedCruise: https://www.medcruise.com/application-of-new-members

Learn more about MedCruise Team: https://www.medcruise.com/about-us