The Seatrade
Turkish Cruise Forum has closed today with delegates leaving Izmir
after a 1.5 day conference and networking session, which saw cruise
lines, ports and suppliers come together to discuss the growing
momentum for cruise tourism in Turkey and purchasing strategies and
opportunities for local sourcing.
In welcoming
delegates to the conference on Wednesday 4th July, Seatrade Chairman
Chris Hayman stated “these are exciting times for Turkey which last
year welcomed 2.5m passengers to its shores. In addition 50,000
Turkish cruise passengers joined ships, a figure set to rise 30% to
65,000 in 2012, making Turkey one of Europe’s fastest growing
source markets”.
Ekrem
Demirtas President of the Executive Board, Izmir Chamber of Commerce
discussed how Turkey is looking to grow its cruise business. “In
the first 6 months of 2012, we have seen 300 ships carrying 355,000
passengers to Turkey. Our aim for the port of Izmir, one of the
country’s three leading cruise ports is to become one of the top 50
cruise destinations in the world”. The passenger port is up for
privatisation which includes the building of new berths and
infrastructure which when completed in 2015 will have the capacity to
handle 2 million passengers a year.
Ertugrul
Gunay, Minster of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey stated
“Tourism is important as it creates peace. We are seeing Greece,
Turkey and the Black Sea emerging as cruise destinations and if we
cooperate together the Aegean Sea will become the most popular cruise
arena in the world outstripping the Caribbean”
During the
event, Demirtas announced representatives from Turkey’s cruise
community met to establish the Turkish Cruise Platform, to further
promote cruise tourism within the country.
Turkey is
one of the fastest growing economies with an expected growth of 5% in
2012. It is the 15th largest GDP market and the 6th largest economy
in Europe.
Dario
Rustico, Sales and Marketing Director Central Europe, Africa, Middle
East and India, Costa Crociere S.p.A spoke about the opportunities to
grow both calls and locally sourced passengers. “With 6.6 million
Turkish tourists travelling abroad there is huge potential here”,
he remarked.
“Outbound
will automatically feed inbound, as bigger ships are deployed to
Turkey”, Rustico said. Costa has seven ships calling Turkey during
2012 picking up passengers in Istanbul and Izmir, making 108 calls
carrying 372,000 passengers, a figure set to increase by around 9%
during 2013.
Whilst
speakers praised the country’s port facilities and services levels
they also spoke about challenges that need to be overcome including
Schengen Visas needed by Turkish passengers to travel to European
Ports. However Kerry Anastassiadis, CEO Louis Cruises praised
Turkey’s ability to listen and take action, “in certain places
bureaucracy is the byword, but here you talk and you see action.
Hopefully we will hear some positive news on visa and port cost
issues in the near future.”
Erkunt Oner
CEO, Tura Turizm, reiterated the IMO regulations for which all
countries are signatories facilitating cruise passengers staying in a
port for less than 72 hours are exempt from a visa. “Whilst Turkey
is adhering to this rule the Schengen countries are not”.
And he
pointed out “if this is waived there is a huge potential out of
Turkey and neighbouring countries, such as Russia, Ukraine and Arabic
countries.”
Other
discussions covered the need to understand variety when it comes to
shore excursions, Mary Shaw-Delaney, Director Shoreside Programmes,
Silversea Cruises identified how guests want culture, adventure,
shopping, dining, convenience and security – “all found in
abundance in Turkey.”
The
opportunity for local suppliers to increase their engagement with the
cruise sector was also covered. Eduardo Lopez-Puertas, VP Land
Operations, Pullmantur said “Turkey offers very good prices and
service levels but it is important to invest in logistics.” Cruise
line panellists said they are open to business proposals from local
suppliers but added it is highly challenging and there is no option
to fail or delay deliveries.
On the
morning 5th July, 30 companies attended a networking brunch with
ports and suppliers showcasing their products and services and what
they can offer to create a comprehensive supply structure for cruise
lines operating in the Eastern Med. Companies included travel agents,
ship agents, textile producers, porcelain manufacturers, food and
beverage suppliers, ports, tourism offices, ship chandlers and
repairers.
“I found
it invaluable to meet suppliers face-to-face and the time to discuss
mutual business opportunities,” said Mike Deegan, Operations
Director, All Leisure Holidays
The Seatrade
Turkish Cruise Forum took place at the Swissotel Grand Efes, Izmir,
organised by Seatrade and held in conjunction with Izmir Chamber of
Commerce.
Source: FTNnews
Source: FTNnews
