Yesterday, at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), Malaga presented the next edition of Seatrade Cruise Med to the main shipping companies, tour operators and agents of the cruise industry
This professional event, which has the support of the port and destination institutions, is celebrating its second edition in Malaga, promoted by the success of the previous event.
In this way, Malaga, the Costa del Sol and Andalusia will once again be protagonists of the sector during the days of September 11 and 12, 2024 at the Palace of Fairs and Congresses (FYCMA).
Seatrade Cruise's Global Events Director, Chiara Giorgi , commented that " it is a great honor to officially announce the return of Seatrade Cruise Med to Malaga and I would like to express my gratitude to our local partners and collaborators for their support of this event ."
Giorgi added that “since its inception in Genoa in 1996, it has served as a meeting point for companies in the Mediterranean industry, providing opportunities for dialogue and contact with professionals in the sector in one of Spain's most crucial ports.”
Meanwhile, the Malaga team, led by the Port Authority, the Malaga City Council's Tourism Department, Costa del Sol Tourism and Planning, the Andalusian Regional Government's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the Malagaport Foundation, are already working with the fair's organizers and collaborating partners, such as Medcruise, State Ports, Global Ports, Malaga Cruise Port, City Sightseeing, and Suncruise Andalusia.
The President of the Port Authority, Carlos Rubio, emphasized that “Holding Seatrade Cruise Med for the second time in Malaga represents a unique opportunity to further solidify our position as a leading port and destination within the European market. The chance to welcome hundreds of executives from major cruise lines will allow us to showcase in detail the wide range of services offered by the port and the destination, as well as its entire surrounding area.”
The mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, emphasized that “cruise tourism is becoming increasingly important. We are pleased that the city is opening up to the sea and that citizens are learning firsthand how much this type of tourism contributes to the city's economic activity and reputation.”
“Hosting Seatrade Cruise Med is a major boost for Málaga as a cruise destination and positions it as a leading homeport for cruise lines. Attracting this type of tourism brings quality, excellence, and added value to the destination.””.
The president of the Málaga Provincial Council, Francisco Salado, expressed his pridein “the extraordinary results of the cruise segment on the Costa del Sol, a sector that is making a significant contribution to the development of the city and the province. In this regard, we are promoting familiarization trips and excursions, which will also be featured during Seatrade Cruise Med, as they were in the previous edition.”
Finally, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government, Víctor González, stated that this event “consolidates Málaga as one of the main ports in the country and positions Andalusia as a leading destination in the Mediterranean.”
Furthermore, he expressed his conviction that the meeting “will allow us to improve our knowledge of the region's cruise offerings in the international market and, especially, to attract new ships and port calls and attract a premium segment traveler who generates high spending in the Community and contributes to deseasonalizing tourist activity.”
The previous edition, held in 2022, achieved above-average attendance figures compared to other years, according to the event organizers, who this time expected to receive:
- More than 2,000 attendees.
- More than 80 countries.
- More than 180 exhibiting companies.
- More than 175 cruise industry professionals.
Seatrade Cruise Med raises the profile of Málaga and other ports in the region as a top-tier cruise destination. The event will also reinforce Spain's position as one of Europe's leading cruise destinations.
In this regard, the President of State Ports, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, reiterated the support of this organization, highlighting “the collaboration between everyone—administrations, the port community, and operators—to position Málaga as a benchmark in the cruise sector. The 2022 edition was a success, and we are confident that this year will be as well.”
In addition, the General Assembly of Medcruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports to which the Port of Malaga belongs and which is why it has been able to apply to hold this event, will take place in the vicinity of the Fair.
Its president, Figen Ayan, confirmed that “Málaga is not only a beautiful port city in southern Spain, but also one of the oldest in the world. Walking through its streets feels like traveling back in time. We invite you to join the cruise industry at Seatrade Cruise Med, where we will network and create new business opportunities.”
In addition, a program of activities will take place throughout the week in the urban and port area. This will be the third edition of Málaga Cruise Days.
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