Europe is recognised as one of the world’s most important maritime tourism markets, especially for its limitless potential for growth. Next to The Caribbean, the regions of the North/Baltic and Mediterranean are the world’s most popular ocean cruise destinations.

River cruising, in which Europe leads the field, is also the subject of growing demand. This is reflected by continuous extension and modernisation of the region’s fleets.

The passenger ferry industry is also booming. The Baltic Sea market in particular, where the extension of the European Union offers many opportunities for new services and ship designs, is driving more and more innovative trends.

Accordingly, interest in Seatrade Europe Cruise, Ferry and Rivercruise Convention 2005 is high. The event, taking place 1-2 November at Congress Center Hamburg, is the region’s top indicator for maritime tourism and a key meeting place for industry leaders.

While the majority of exhibitors are based in the region, this third edition of the event is hosting a larger number of non-European organisations than ever before. This is seen as clear evidence of Europe’s growing status as a source market. Beside others, the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, which is responsible for tourism and economic development, views Seatrade Europe 2005 as a gateway to this market. Awadh Al Seghayer, Acting Manager of Dubai Cruise Terminal, says, “ The European market is vital for Dubai , in many aspects of tourism, as the biggest supplier of visitors. The cruise sector, of course, is one essential part of that.”

He adds, “We have participated in Seatrade Europe since 1998 because it is where the key cruise decision makers meet to network with the destinations.”

The Tourist Office of Jamaica has similar intentions, organising a Caribbean Village for the event. Participants are also confirmed from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the USA, with more expected from other outlying regions.

From within Europe, shipyards and shipping companies, travel agencies, suppliers, service companies, and particularly port representatives – among them Amsterdam Cruise Port, which will open a Dutch Pavilion – are confirmed. “Tourism is one of the four pillars of the economy in Amsterdam”, says Hans Dominicus, Executive Vice-President of Amsterdam Cruise Port. “The European cruise market is an important niche segment. Studies have shown that the cruise and ferry market generates Euros 90m per year, and its spin-off effects benefit the Amsterdam region as a whole.”

As in previous years, the exhibition will be accompanied by a three-pronged conference programme for cruise, ferry and rivercruise. 600 delegates attended the conference in 2003 to discuss trends and developments in each sector. For details of this year’s programme, visit www.seatrade-europe.com

The speaker pool consists of renowned industry figures such as David Dingle, Managing Director of Carnival UK; J. Michael Crye, President of the International Council of Cruise

Lines (ICCL); and Torsten Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. Wolfgang Luftner of Austria’s Luftner Cruises and Michael Thamm, President of the German AIDA Cruises will also speak, and other senior figures will be confirmed before November.