By Virginia López Valiente
Managing Director of Cruises News Media Group and Editor of CruisesNews magazine
Editorial from CruisesNews magazine no. 72 – March 2025
As head of Cruises News Media Group, I want to share some thoughts on what was a controversial yet firm commitment to the cruise industry and the evolution we have experienced in recent years. From the beginning, we have believed in the potential of this industry, which not only offers a unique vacation experience to millions of travelers but also drives the economic and tourism development of numerous destinations.
The recent celebration of the 18th edition of the Excellence Cruise Awards in Melilla is a testament to the growth and consolidation of this sector. The event brought together national and international executives from cruise lines, as well as representatives from the maritime and tourism sectors. This year, we were honored to have the presence of prominent executives from the world's leading cruise lines, who traveled from various countries to join us for this celebration. Their participation clearly demonstrates the recognition these awards have achieved and the role they play in the industry globally.
Bringing the gala to Melilla was made possible through the collaboration between the Melilla Port Authority and the Department of Tourism, demonstrating once again the importance of strategic alliances for the success of initiatives of this magnitude. The presence of top local authorities and the entire sector is a testament to the support and importance given to this industry in the city. Melilla has proven to be a strategic and attractive location for cruise tourism, and its commitment to the sector is reflected in the organization of events of this scale. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to showcase Melilla's capabilities and potential as a destination for future cruise ship calls to executives from major shipping lines. Melilla's commitment to cruise tourism has been strengthened in recent years, with improvements to its port infrastructure, future projects, and a diversified tourism offering that seeks to attract more tourists in general, demonstrating its capacity to offer unique cultural, historical, and gastronomic experiences, making it an attractive destination within the Mediterranean.
Looking back, it's gratifying to see how our investment in the cruise sector has paid off. We chose to approach the industry from a global, national, and international perspective, but also from the viewpoint of both the local source market and the destinations, encompassing the entire logistics chain. It hasn't been easy, but if you want to cover all the bases, you have to understand this industry, study, accumulate knowledge, and, of course, develop relationships. How important relationships are! Witnessing this constant evolution of the industry has driven our own evolution, and here we are, showcasing our expertise to those who saw us from the beginning, as well as to the new players entering the sector.
At Cruises News Media Group, we will continue to work with passion and dedication to further promote and recognize excellence in the cruise industry, confident that the best is yet to come.
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