As the Mediterranean cruise market continues to go from strength to strength with some 171 cruise ships active in its waters during 2011, carrying a potential four million passengers on 2,958 cruises, soaring demand for the Mediterranean has made it the second most popular cruise destination after the Caribbean.
In just two weeks, the world’s cruise industry will be heading to Marseille, France’s leading cruise port, for the ninth edition of Seatrade Med Cruise and Superyacht Convention, a UBM plc event.
The convention, due to take place at Parc Chanot, Marseille, on 27-29 November 2012, hosted by Marseille Provence Cruise Club, will see the widest range of industry suppliers, destinations and cruise lines come together to discuss issues facing the region in terms of efficiency and environment and its future continued growth.
As the Mediterranean cruise market continues to go from strength to strength with some 171 cruise ships active in its waters during 2011, carrying a potential four million passengers on 2,958 cruises, soaring demand for the Mediterranean has made it the second most popular cruise destination after the Caribbean.
Seatrade Med provides the ideal business platform for all participants to engage and generate business opportunities, through a high-level conference programme, showcase exhibition, travel agent training sessions and social networking events. Now in its ninth edition, the 2012 event is shaping up nicely.
The conference
This year’s conference sessions will hear from over 45 industry experts as they discuss eight of the most prominent topics within the industry including: The Mediterranean Market, Upscale Cruising, Waterfront Development, Cruise Ship and Superyacht Building and Refurbishment, Cruise Line and Port Interactions, Cruise Ship Technology – Efficiency and the Environment, Air Lift and Train Lift – Developing Transport Links and Itinerary and Shorex Development.
The opening session of the conference, ‘The Mediterranean Market’, will focus on the region as a cruise destination, its current health, upcoming challenges and the opportunities for geographical and seasonal expansion. Jacques Truau, President, Marseille Provence Cruise Club will deliver a welcome, whilst the keynote address will be by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman, European Cruise Council (ECC), and Chairman, Silversea Cruises. Presentations will be delivered by five of the most influential people from within the industry, Kerry Anastassiadis, CEO, Louis Cruises; David Dingle, CEO, Carnival UK; Gianni Onorato, President, Costa Cruises; Dominic Paul, Vice President & Group MD, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Cruises, & Managing Director, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited; Domenico Pellegrino, Managing Director, MSC Cruises.
Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman commented “The conference sessions provide the perfect opportunity for our delegates to get involved in the discussions. They can ask the questions they need to move their businesses forward within this sector. All our speakers are experts within their area and offer invaluable knowledge on the industry.”
Showcase exhibition and travel agent training
Running parallel to the conference programme is the showcase exhibition, featuring a diverse range of products and services from hotel and leisure supplies to regional ports and destinations. New to the exhibition this year are two areas, a New Supplier Zone and International Superyacht Pavilion, featuring SYRREN and its one-to-one business appointment system. Daniel Read, Director, Cruise Portfolio,“the two new features on the exhibition floor this year are a great asset to the event. It’s great to see new suppliers to the industry realising its potential, and as cruise within the Mediterranean continues to grow, Seatrade Med is the perfect place for these companies to capitalise on the opportunities available” UBM Live commented . The exhibition floor provides the ideal platform to learn about new innovations and engage with industry colleagues old and new.
The travel agent training sessions organised by Marseille Provence Cruise Club’s Top Cruise, will take place on Tuesday 27th November, providing local travel agents with the opportunity to broaden their industry knowledge.
Networking and business opportunities
Seatrade Med provides an abundance of networking and business opportunities throughout the event, and with 30 different cruise lines / operators already confirmed to attend it’s easy to see why.
The social events during the evening provide a relaxed way to network with industry colleagues. The welcome reception will see the presentation of the sixth Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards, whilst the Gala Dinner on the last night will feature wine tasting from the region.
Discover Marseille, France’s leading Cruise Port
Attending Seatrade Med provides an excellent opportunity for participants to discover Marseille, European Capital of Culture 2013.
Over the years Marseille has become a major gateway for Mediterranean cruises as a port of embarkation as well as a port of call. It has maintained its position as the top French cruise port with 382 calls and 810,000 passengers in 2011, an increase of 16% compared to 2010. A massive urban development taking place around the port and the creation of a new terminal dedicated to the operations of two ships with turnaround passengers, something which will assist in the port’s aspirations to reach one million passengers by 2013.
Seatrade Med provides the perfect platform to engage with key personnel from within the cruise industry and develop the contacts and knowledge needed to grow with the Mediterranean cruise market.
The Seatrade Med Cruise & Superyacht Convention 2012 is organised in association with Marseille Provence Cruise Club and will incorporate the International Superyacht Pavilion and Top Cruise.
Principal regional supporters include, Ville de Marseille, CCI Marseille Provence, Marseille Fos Port Authority, Region Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur, Conseil General des Bouches du Rhone, MPM Marseille Provence Metropole. Sponsors of the event include Costa Cruises, Corsica Ports, Corsica Cruise Club, Croisieres de France, Accor, CIVP Provence Wine, Fidelio Cruise, Marseille Provence International Airport, Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, MedCruise (also principal supporter), Passenger Port of St Petersburg ‘Marine Facade’, Royal Caribbean International, Air France, Euromediterranee, Nap Tourisme, Pilotage Marseille Fos, Torrefaction Noailles, Tourmag.com.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
