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| The International Cruise Ship Congress concludes in the port of Malaga Friday |
[2008-11-12 ] |
September 26, 2008 ¡ª
The cruise ship industry has generated a significant economic impact in Europe during the last years, in which this market has not been affected by the worldwide economic crisis. An example of that it is the position of cruise ships that make routes through the Mediterranean Coast and the Atlantic Islands . That means a 60% of the market, above other destinations such as North Europe and the Caribbean .
These are some of the conclusions of the International Cruise Ship Congress named ¡°Cruie Industry: an Outlook. From great luxury to democratization¡±, celebrated in September 19th and 20th in the Port of Malaga .
The most important representatives of the sector attended to the event organised by Malagaport, to analyze the evolution of the market in the ships sizes, the activities made on board and the destination chosen by the shipping lines to satisfy the passenger demands.
Morning session: presentation and conferences
First of all, the President of the Port Authority of Malaga, Mr. Enrique Linde, welcomed to the audience and explained the estimated figures in cruise traffic in Malaga port. This kind of traffic is very important for the city due to its facilities, as well as the promotion activities in the international events related to the sector.
Forecast 2008
The cruise traffic in the Port of Malaga has increased during the last years. A total of 240 cruise ships tied up in 2007. The forecast for the current year is the arriving of 275 cruise ships. This fact means an increase of 14.50% related to last year.
On the other hand, 292,567 passengers arrived to the Port of Malaga during 2007 and the forecast for the current year is to receive more than 360,000 passengers, exceeding the barrier of 300,000 passengers. This increase means a positive variation of 23% related to last year.
After the presentation act, the President of Medcruise, Mr Laurent Monsaingeon presented the cruise industry situation in the Mediterranean .
Nowadays, the cruise ship industry is undergoing a world important change: the tendency is that the biggest shipping lines are placing their ships in the Mediterranean, North Europe and the European Atlantic Coasts against the American destinations. That is the reason why the cruise traffic in Europe and the Mediterranean has increased a 10% and so much ports have observed an increase of 20% in this kind of traffic. In this sense, Mr. Monsaingeon adds that ¡° Malaga is one of the best ports in developing its facilities¡±.
Later, the Managing Director of Malagaport, Mr. Sebastian Camps, talked about the cruise traffic in a port in a constant evolution, like the Port of Malaga . The service offered by the Passenger Terminal such the ships as the passengers has consolidate the traffic of the big cruise ships in the Port of Malaga, turning into a port home of the most important companies in the world. Moreover, the Port of Malaga continues beating for this kind of traffic. It is being constructing a new passenger terminal in the berth n? 2, which will be used to the reception of shorter and more exclusive cruise ships to berth in the areas closer to the city centre.
On the other hand, the President of Andaluza de Planificacion y Turismo Consultoria, Mr. Rafael Esteve Secall, launched a study named ¡°Model for the estimate of future cruise ships demands in the Port of Malaga ¡±. This research makes an approximation of the cruise traffic in the next years analyzing its evolution and basing on Barcelona model. This port had a similar progression than the Port of Malaga is living currently.
Finally, the intervention of the Subdirector of International Relations and Cooperation of Ports of Spain, Mr. Manuel Gomez, was about the cruise industry situation in Europe .
Afternoon session
During the afternoon, it was celebrated a round table, in which the representatives of the most important shipping lines showed their reflections about the current market tendency.
First of all, the representative of Shorex Department of MSC Cruises, Mr. Nicola Cesaro, suggested different ideas about the creation of new itineraries in the cities where the cruise ships arrives in. The itineraries must be very interesting for all members of the family.
On the other hand, the General Manager for Spain of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Mrs. Belen Wanguemert, pointed out that ¡°the democratization of the cruise ships has allowed the shipping lines to diversify their offers. Despite of the different activities and comforts that it could offer on board, the main objective consists on choosing some attractive destinations. In this way, the ports must create the right facilities to host to these kinf of vessels¡±.
Moreover, the General Manager Fleet Operations of Carnival UK , Mr. Philip Naylor, added that the cruise ship tourism is, nowadays, like ¡°some holidays in a safe place from where the passengers can visit different destinations¡±. Moreover, Mr. Naylor talked about the historical evolution of the cruise ship: in the past, the vessels were used to transport mail and cargo and, currently, most of them are floating resorts.
Finally, the Managing Director of Cruise Management Consulting, Mr. Hugues Lamy, offered more figures about the cruise industry, which represents a 2% of the tourist activity, ¡°so it exists a great potential in this area¡±. Mr. Lamy pointed out the companies interests in the investments of the ships, the advance of the ports rules and the marketing of this kind of tourism. All these things have a positive impact in the city.
Tourist visits
The audience visited the Passenger Terminal of Levante and all of them showed their interest in this facility, admiring its design and structure.
During Saturday 20th, the audience visited the most important places of the city centre such as the Alcazaba, the Picasso Museum and the house where he was born, Merced Square and the Cathedral. These are some of the attractive monuments near the port area.
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