The CLIA European Summit 2026 concluded this Thursday, bringing together various cruise industry executives in Funchal throughout the week, including representatives from shipping companies, travel agencies, port operators, port authorities, technical experts and policymakers.
Organized by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in collaboration with APRAM – Administração dos Portos da Região Autónoma da Madeira and the Regional Government of Madeira, the event reinforced Madeira's position as a strategic hub in the Atlantic.
The event kicked off on Monday with a welcome cocktail, and the sessions began the following day. The official opening took place on Wednesday, bringing together regional, national, and European political representatives.
The closing panel included Davide Francesco Truscello (Costa Cruises), Patrícia Bairrada (APRAM), Barbara Buczek (Cruise Saudi), Benedetta D'Amato (RINA) and Marina Mylona (Cyprus Ministry of Tourism), moderated by Evangelos Tountas (CLIA).
One of the highlights of the event was Costa Cruises' announcement that it will extend its winter operations with weekly calls in Funchal until May 2027, which will mean more port calls for Madeira. “Madeira is a very attractive destination, with numerous excursions; the surroundings are excellent, and the response from our guests is very positive. Extending the season guarantees a regular schedule, which is easy for travel agencies to market,” said Truscello.
Patrícia Bairrada, commercial director of APRAM, emphasized the importance of safety, the alliance with the Canary Islands, and the strategic decision made in 2005 to transform Funchal into an exclusively tourist port: “Shipping companies’ confidence in the Atlantic also depends on our safety and the quality of the services we offer. We contribute to strengthening the relationship between the city and the port, and the city is dynamic thanks to the cruise industry. We need to integrate port authorities, operators, businesses, and residents into a sustainable model.”
Previously, the penultimate panel, moderated by Eleonora Modde (FUNASBA), highlighted the essential coordination between shipping companies, port authorities and tourist destinations.
The panelists emphasized the critical role of port agents in ensuring smooth port calls and alignment between ports, crews, passengers, and local communities.
The event concluded by reinforcing the importance of cooperation between shipping companies, port authorities and local communities, projecting Madeira as a strategic, sustainable and competitive destination for the cruise industry in the Atlantic.
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