More than 2,000 participants registered to attend the third edition of Seatrade Europe Cruise, Ferry & Rivercruise Convention, held last week in Hamburg, Germany, including 134 exhibiting companies from 35 countries and 1,400 visitors from 62 countries. More than 500 delegates attended the show`s various conference sessions.

The principal message emanating from the two-day event was that these are exciting times for the region, sparked by an emergence of critical mass following the substantial growth of European brands, the importance of Europe as a destination and a source market, and its leading role in shipbuilding and supply.

The expanding memberships and pro-active stance of key associations such as the European Cruise Council and Cruise Europe, both individually and via their ongoing cooperations on issues of mutual interest, echo the collective strength of the sector and importance of Europe in the world cruise arena.

The 2007 edition of Seatrade Europe will take place in newly expanded facilities at CCH - Congress Centrum Hamburg, Germany, from 30-31 October. Seatrade will be working in cooperation with Hamburg Messe Und Congress in order to develop the event in a number of existing and new areas.