The Port Authority of Las Palmas has assumed the presidency of the International Association of Ports of the Macaronesian Islands, Cruise Atlantic Islands, during the entity's II General Assembly, held this November 17 in Madrid, within the framework of the International Cruise Summit 2025, the main European summit dedicated to the cruise industry.
Beatriz Calzada, president of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, has taken over from Paula Cristina de Araújo Dias Cabaço da Silva, president of the Port of Madeira, who had held the presidency since CAI's founding in 2014. The change was carried out in accordance with the annual rotation established in the association's bylaws. This second General Assembly brought together representatives from the five member ports—Las Palmas, Madeira, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Azores, and Cape Verde—with the aim of strengthening coordination and advancing the strategic plans for the coming years.
After assuming the presidency, Beatriz Calzada highlighted the importance of this new phase for the association, stating that “it is an honor to assume the presidency of Cruise Atlantic Islands on behalf of the Port Authority of Las Palmas. Macaronesia is a strategic region for the cruise industry, and cooperation between ports is essential to continue growing, diversifying markets, and strengthening our presence in the Atlantic.”.
Calzada expressly thanked her predecessor for her work: “I want to acknowledge the work and commitment of Paula Cabaço, whose leadership has been key to launching this partnership and consolidating its initial steps. We will continue to promote a shared agenda based on sustainability, joint promotion, and improving the competitiveness of all our ports.”.
During the meeting, held at the Meliá Castilla Hotel in Madrid, the progress of the actions planned in the Commercial and Marketing Plan 2025–2027 was approved, the operational guidelines for the next year were validated, and the creation of an internal management structure was discussed to consolidate the operation of the association under the Spanish legal framework.
Established in February 2024, the International Association of Ports of the Macaronesian Islands, under the Cruise Atlantic Islands brand, aims to globally promote the port destinations of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, strengthening their position in the cruise sector and facilitating collaboration between member ports.
Its aims include joint promotion, the development of regional itineraries, the exchange of information, training, research and participation in international cruise fairs and forums.
The General Assembly concluded with a commitment to continue advancing the joint agenda and further positioning Cruise Atlantic Islands as a benchmark in the Atlantic for cruise lines and tour operators.
In this vein, the Port Authority of Las Palmas faces this presidency with the aim of consolidating the actions planned for 2026, boosting the international visibility of Macaronesia as a sustainable cruise destination and strengthening cooperation between the five member ports.
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