MedCruise, the Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association, officially opened its 66th General Assembly, which is being held for the second time in history in the historic port city of Cartagena.
The event takes place in the modern El Batel Auditorium and is organized in cooperation with the Cartagena Port Authority, with the support of the Cartagena City Council, marking a year of celebration for the port's 150th anniversary. This landmark Assembly underscores the city's growing importance in Mediterranean cruise tourism and reaffirms MedCruise's role in shaping the future of the industry.
From June 10 to 13, the city becomes the meeting point of the global cruise industry, hosting more than 26 delegates, including representatives from more than 20 cruise lines, 47 MedCruise member ports, 22 associate members and 8 representatives of international media.
During the press conference, which was opened by the president of the Cartagena Port Authority, Pedro Pablo Hernández, the remarkable transformation of the city into a top-level cruise destination over the last 25 years was highlighted.
He noted that Cartagena has gone from receiving just 49 cruise ship calls and 68,000 passengers in 2009 to a record year in 2025, with 192 calls and 250,000 passengers expected. This growth is the result of strong collaboration between public institutions and continuous investment in port and tourism infrastructure.
Attendees at this year's MedCruise General Assembly will be able to enjoy Cartagena's rich cultural and historical offerings, including the Roman Theatre, the Roman Forum, the Castillo de la Concepción, and the city's vibrant Modernist Route. The president also highlighted the city's culinary, shopping, and museum offerings, along with efforts to promote sustainable tourism through initiatives such as the electrification of cruise ship berths and LNG bunkering services.
In his words: “The cruise industry will be able to see firsthand how Cartagena has gone from having potential to being a reality: a top-level destination that has not only built infrastructure, but also a welcoming and vibrant city around it.”
Anne-Marie Spinosi, Senior Vice President of MedCruise, along with Luz Marina Espiau, Director of Digitalization and Innovation, conveyed greetings on behalf of Theodora Riga, President of MedCruise, who will open the assembly tomorrow morning. “This Assembly demonstrates the vitality of the cruise sector in the Mediterranean. Cartagena offers the perfect setting to inspire meaningful discussions, forge new alliances, and chart the course toward a more sustainable and inclusive cruise industry.”
Both board members emphasized the importance of MedCruise's presence in Cartagena, one of its oldest members within the world's largest cruise port association. MedCruise embraces its diversity as a strength and is committed to promoting sustainable, innovative, and inclusive growth in the cruise sector in the Mediterranean and its adjacent seas.
“The Assembly will feature 27 executives from 20 cruise lines,” said Anne-Marie Spinosi, “along with representatives from international media, participating in meaningful discussions about the future of ports, destinations and passenger experiences, totaling 165 participants.”
The director of the Murcia Region Tourism Institute (ITREM), Juan Francisco Martínez, praised the decision to hold the 66th MedCruise General Assembly in Cartagena, referring to the city as "the tourism capital of the Region of Murcia" and noted that the area is registering its best tourism figures in more than two decades, with records in international visitors, overnight stays and tourism-related employment.
During her address at the press conference, the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, warmly welcomed the participants of the General Assembly. She praised the ongoing collaboration between local and regional institutions, port authorities, and the tourism sector, which has allowed Cartagena to emerge as a leading cultural and heritage destination in the Mediterranean.
He highlighted the city's efforts to achieve sustainable tourism growth and combat seasonality through international promotional campaigns and the strategic role of cruise tourism in attracting foreign visitors year-round. He emphasized Cartagena's unique cultural offerings. “The city, with a population of just over 217,000, boasts 17 museums, archaeological sites, and interpretation centers developed under the 'Cartagena – Port of Cultures' initiative. Each cruise ship that arrives brings new ambassadors for Cartagena: visitors who fall in love with our city and become its best promoters worldwide.”
The General Assembly will officially begin with discussions on internal Association matters, followed by a program that includes keynote panels, technical working groups, networking events, and cultural excursions. Key sessions include:
• The Future of Cruise Itineraries in the Mediterranean
• The Cruise Passenger Experience and Community Connection
• Charting a Greener Course: Innovations for Sustainable Cruising in the Mediterranean
• Looking to the Future of Port Infrastructure
Delegates will also enjoy Cartagena's cultural offerings through exclusive evening events, including a reception at the Cartagena Military History Museum, a Gala Dinner at the Cuarentaytrés Restaurant, and a Farewell Dinner at the El Parador del Mar Menor Restaurant, reinforcing the unique combination of business and experiences that characterizes this Assembly.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
