During the 65th MedCruise General Assembly held in Malaga, and within the framework of Seatrade Cruise Med 2024, Theodora Riga was elected as president of MedCruise.
Theodora Riga succeeds Figen Ayan, CEO of Galataport Istanbul, who will continue her involvement with the Association as Honorary President and elected member of the Board of Directors.
In addition to electing its new president, MedCruise also announced the new Board of Directors (BoD) for the 2024-2027 period.
One of Riga's first decisions was to appoint Nicky Guerrero as the association's secretary general, replacing Anja Lohrum. Nicky, who had previously served as secretary, thus begins a new chapter at MedCruise.
“I firmly believe in the value of collective action, or as we say in Greek, ‘in unity there is strength,’” declared Ms. Riga. “With the vision of continuing the work we have done so well, we will enhance our activities and achieve even more together, ensuring the responsible development of the cruise industry and benefiting all ports and destinations in the Mediterranean. Through the collective actions of our members and synergies with other associations and institutions (UNTWO, ESPO, AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc.), we collaborate to maximize the economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable development of ports, destinations, and all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas.”.
MedCruise Board of Directors for the period 2024-2027
- Anne-Marie Spinosi, elected as Senior Vice President (Corsica Ports, France).
- Laura Cimaglia, elected as Vice President (Port of Taranto, Italy).
- Valeria Mangiarotti (Ports of Sardinia, Italy).
- Cristina De Gregori (Port of Genoa/Savona, Italy).
- Luz Marina Espiau Moreno (Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain).
- Joško Šupe (Sibenik Port Authority, Croatia).
- Dario Barbarić (Dubrovnik Port Authority, Croatia).
- Maria Belkoleva (Port of Burgas, Bulgaria).
- Lorenzo Vera Franco (Port Authority of Motril, Spain).
- Genoveva Climent (Port Authority of Tarragona, Spain).
- Figen Ayan (Galataport Istanbul, Türkiye).
- Kyriaki Kampana (Heraklion Port Authority, Greece).
- Gilson Cruz (Ports of Cape Verde, Cape Verde).
- Angelos Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).
Theodora Riga, president of MedCruise
Theodora Riga is the Commercial Director and Director of Strategic Communications at the Port of Thessaloniki.
Born in 1973 in the United States, Theodora Riga holds an MBA in Business Administration and has held senior management positions in port, shipping, and financial services companies for the past 20 years. Ms. Riga is a member of the National Cruise Committee and serves on the board of a shipping company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. She is the Commercial Director and Management Consultant specializing in Strategic Development, Sales, Marketing, and Communications for major shipping companies in Greece, and provides communications support to the Association of Passenger Transport Companies.
Theodora Riga is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and a representative of the Hellenic Chamber of Navigation on the National Cruise Committee of the Hellenic Government.
I firmly believe in the value of collective action, or as we say in Greek: “in unity there is our strength”
How has the cruise sector in the Mediterranean changed in recent years, especially after the pandemic?
The pandemic reminded us how vital the cruise industry is to the economies of port destinations in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas. The complete shutdown of the sector made us appreciate the numerous benefits our vibrant industry brings to many communities. Today, the biggest challenges we face are primarily environmental and related to geopolitical instability. However, the recovery in quantitative terms has shown faster growth compared to other forms of travel worldwide. In 2023, 31.5 million passengers sailed globally, and this figure is expected to rise to 35.7 million in 2024. The Mediterranean has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with a 6.59% increase in passenger calls and a 7.91% increase in cruise calls in 2023 compared to 2019.
What will be the main focuses of your presidency?
The main objectives of my term will be to promote sustainable growth for cruises in the Mediterranean and its adjacent seas; enhance relationships and networks with cruise lines; improve the public image of cruises; share best practices and information; and generate knowledge for the industry. I would also like to address the regulatory challenges we face. Another objective will be to represent MedCruise in international forums, shaping initiatives and policies, as we continue to transform MedCruise into a modern business association.
You are taking on this role at a time of growth in the cruise industry, but there are medium- and long-term challenges, such as berthing restrictions and increased tourist taxes in more destinations. How are ports managing passenger flows in popular Mediterranean destinations?
These are indeed challenges that must be addressed and considered at a time of growth. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for all ports, as we represent a wide variety of small, medium, and large ports, some within the EU and others outside of it. Clearly, very close cooperation between local authorities, tourism authorities, and port authorities is needed to ensure sustainable growth.
You recently presented the findings of the MedCruise sustainability study for ports. What is the current situation, and in what areas will greater efforts be needed?
The current situation shows that 92% of the ports surveyed are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions. Clearly, one of the most important efforts in the industry right now is providing Onshore Power Systems (OPS). 94% of the ports surveyed are prepared to offer OPS by 2030, and 29% already do.
At last month's Seatrade Med event, MedCruise joined four other port associations in issuing a joint statement committing to sustainable growth in the cruise industry. Will this involve any form of collaboration between associations?
Yes, indeed. As we mentioned in our press release, it's about recognizing shared challenges, emphasizing the importance of transparency, and working with members, partners, and all cruise stakeholders to find innovative solutions. Our shared goal is to ensure the cruise industry is in harmony with both urban and rural environments.
There seems to be a certain polarization in the design of new ships: they are either very large, over 200,000 tons, or very small. How are Mediterranean ports integrating new infrastructure to accommodate larger, higher-capacity cruise ships?
Again, since we represent ports of all sizes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each port faces different challenges in adapting to the sizes of the ships.
The war in Israel, which is escalating daily, has halted cruise ship traffic to the Middle East and the Red Sea, but is it, or could it be, affecting nearby destinations like Cyprus or even the Greek islands?
Geopolitical issues always pose a significant challenge for ports, communities, and industry operators. Clearly, people will avoid areas they perceive as risky, but for the moment, these areas do not appear to be significantly impacted.
How does MedCruise view competition from other geographic regions, such as the Caribbean or Northern Europe, in terms of attracting cruise traffic?
As the world's second-largest cruise market, we recognize the importance of our contribution to the industry. Competition is a healthy part of any business, and destinations are always looking for new products to attract customers with new experiences. However, there is much to be said for working together with other regions to ensure sustained growth in the industry.
Incidentally, its port, Thessaloniki, has experienced tremendous growth in the last two years, going from fewer than 10 cruise ship calls to 80, with similar numbers expected by 2025. What have cruise lines discovered about Thessaloniki?
The port of Thessaloniki is one of the few in the world where the cruise port is so close to the city center, with 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 30 museums within easy reach. Thessaloniki is also the first city in Greece to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its innovative culinary offerings. The multidimensional archaeological, historical, cultural, and gastronomic identity of the city and region, combined with the ongoing modernization of the port's infrastructure and services, has strengthened the confidence of cruise lines, attracting more ships to the port and generating value for the local economy and community.
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