Executives and managers from cruise lines around the world met at the thirteenth edition of the International Cruise Summit in Madrid, and highlighted how this way of traveling has become even more competitive against the classic flight and hotel package due to the exorbitant price increases of the latter.
The thirteenth edition of the International Cruise Summit, held on November 14 and 15 in Madrid, analyzed the strengths of the cruise industry, which has been fully committed to sustainability for years, addressing such hot topics as the new European immigration regulations, the mental health of crew and passengers on board, and the adaptation of tourism to the LGBTI+ community.
The ICS 2023 was inaugurated by Miguel Ángel Sanz Castedo, general director of Turespaña and Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, president of Puertos del Estado and was attended by prominent directors and executives from more than 25 cruise lines, ports, tour operators, travel agents, consignees, consultancies and companies in the sector from all over the world.
One of the important reflections that emerged at the congress was that cruises have gained value in their quality/price ratio, since their price updates have been much more moderate compared to the large increase in prices for flights and hotels.
The sector is back in a sweet spot, expecting to surpass the 2019 passenger figures this year, and exceed them by 20% in 2024.
The new European Union immigration regulations presented at the ICS by Frontex, which plan to implement a new border control system (EES) within a year with biometric measurements and fingerprinting for non-European citizens residing outside the Schengen area, will require significant changes to controls at cruise terminals.
With extensive environmental sustainability programs underway and ports developing plans to electrify docks within a few years, the International Cruise Summit has focused on new issues such as the mental health of crew and passengers, or the need to train workers throughout the value chain to avoid uncomfortable or discriminatory situations with the LGBTI+ community.
Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, was interviewed by Virginia López Valiente, CEO of CruisesNews Media Group, and emphasized that travel agents are fundamental for luxury cruises, as these types of clients require precise trip planning. He also confirmed the company's commitment to Europe and Spain, repositioning a ship in Barcelona after canceling its season in the Middle East due to the conflict in the region, and its commitment to the Canary Islands in 2024.
As part of its own sustainability program, CruisesNews Media Group, the event organizer, collected used books for the libraries of the hospital ships of the NGO Mercy Ships, where volunteers from all over the world perform complex operations in third world countries on people without resources, and donated all the congress material to various associations.
Other highlights:
- Cruise companies are fully committed to using electricity supplied from land to shut down engines in ports where it is available, even if the price of this energy is higher than others.
- There are still very few ports worldwide that supply electricity to cruise ships. The Port of Barcelona, one of the world's largest cruise ports, plans to have its cruise ship docks electrified by 2026.
- Travel agents remain a fundamental part of cruise tourism, as most cruise passengers choose them to plan their holidays, even the younger ones.
The dates for ICS 2024 have already been announced; it will be held on November 12th and 13th at the Meliá Castilla Hotel in Madrid.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
