Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) first Summit at Sea, a new platform designed to engage with industry colleagues and cruise lines which was staged earlier this month, attracted 120 participants representing 57 CLIA Executive Partners and 17 cruise lines.
Optimism for the cruise industry remains high, with most of the attending delegates anticipating that by 2030 14 million passengers could cruise in Europe every year. This would represent a three and a half per cent penetration rate of the European population and huge opportunity for both Europe and the Mediterranean.
The setting for the Summit at Sea was MSC’s newest cruise ship, MSC Preziosa, which cruised from Barcelona to Civitavecchia. During the sailing, delegates enjoyed networking opportunities at dinners, cocktail receptions, shore excursions and visits to cruise terminal at the ports of call. CLIA Diamond Partners also had the opportunity to attend an exclusive dinner.
Education was a key element of the Summit. The first business session focused on port development and operations with Barcelona, which was described as a ‘model’ port in terms of investment coming from the port, cruise lines and the private sector.
On the second day, delegates heard details of the industry’s partnership with renowned experts, including cutting-edge research that is being undertaken to keep on board illnesses to a minimum. CLIA SVP for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Bud Darr, said the work being undertaken with leading researchers is ground-breaking and demonstrates the industry’s leadership in the public health arena.
Delegates also had the chance to hear case studies from the association’s Charity of Choice, Mercy Ships, which operates floating hospitals and provide training for medical professionals along with curative surgical interventions.
“This event is part of our on-going enhancements to the CLIA Executive Partner Membership Programme,” stated Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman and CLIA Europe Chairman in his opening remarks before the ship left Barcelona. “We have created a sensational platform for our industry partners with the Summit at Sea. We plan to repeat this experience again next year on a different cruise ship, continuing to meet our member needs and expectations.”
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