The cruise industry is meeting in Corfu, Greece, for the 62nd edition of the MedCruise General Assembly. The Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association, which represents more than 150 cruise ports from 22 countries and three continents, is taking place this year in the Port of Corfu, from May 23 to 26, 2023.
The event will take place at the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel. More than 170 delegates, 17 cruise executives from 15 cruise lines, and 12 international press journalists will attend.
B2B meetings are a key aspect of the General Assembly, where ports, cruise lines and the press can discuss the latest developments in their ports and in the industry.
Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise, stated: “MedCruise has always been a trendsetter in the cruise industry, and this is once again the case with our Annual General Meeting, which is being held in Corfu, Greece. So it doesn’t really surprise me that Corfu has been chosen as one of the best Greek islands to visit in 2023 by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller magazine. I love Greece and its islands. I am even more excited because this is the first time I have been able to discover this vibrant island with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Corfu Port Authority, in particular to its CEO, Aris Batsoulis, former President of MedCruise and member of the Board of Directors, the Governor of the Ionian Islands Region, the Mayor of Corfu, and all the members of the Port Authority. Rodi Cratsa, the Mayor of Central Corfu Municipality, Meropi Ydraiou, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy, Vaggelis Kyriazopoulos, for presenting Corfu to the cruise sector in such a unique and special way.”
Aris Batsoulis, Director of Cruise Development and Management at the Corfu Port Authority and a member of the MedCruise Board of Directors responsible for Projects, Studies, and Finance, stated: “It is a great pleasure and an honor for us, as the Port of Corfu, to have the privilege of hosting the 62nd General Assembly. I hope that, during the meeting, all participants will have the opportunity to explore Corfu Town, characterized by its rich history and many unique features.”
This assembly will address important issues such as the challenges faced by MedCruise members and cruise operators operating in island regions, the challenge of berth allocation, and the imperative issue of ensuring accessibility for people on cruises.
I would like to thank all the attendees and speakers for their valuable time and insightful contributions. Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude to all those diligent individuals who have worked tirelessly to organize this conference, especially the MedCruise Secretariat. I look forward to seeing you all here in Corfu and hope you enjoy the event“.
The conference program will cover current topics such as:
- The challenges of cruise activity in the islands
What are the advantages and disadvantages of island status for cruise traffic? Are there differences in working for the sector on islands compared to mainland ports? Do smaller destinations, further from major ports, also face challenges? Are Shorex activities very different? Let's explore the challenges faced by MedCruise member islands and others.
- Face to face – Cruises on small ships
Small and expedition cruise operators face challenges in the Mediterranean. Let's learn more about them and what can be done to help them.
- Accessible tourism in the cruise industry
In an increasingly inclusive world, accessibility must be given paramount importance. Let's explore the challenges of providing these facilities, how the sector has always been aware of the needs of people with accessibility requirements, and how these needs could be improved.
