The trend in the Mediterranean has been for privatization of cruise terminals

Discussions on cruise prospects in the Med and its adjoining seas highlighted, the just completed MedCruise Port Finance study, along with the release of the CLIA Europe - MedCruise joint statement on cruise and blue growth, marked the 43d MedCruise General Assembly held in Alanya, Turkey, 13-16 November.

The 43d MedCruise General Assembly was held in Alanya, Turkey, 13–16 November. Hosted by Port of Alanya, one of the more than 100 ports that are members of MedCruise, the event offered member ports, and associate members (tour operators, boards of tourism etc) opportunities to discuss the latest developments in the Med, with cruise lines executives, including Azamara, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar.

Following a press conference, that attracted excessive interest of local and international journalists, MedCruise members gathered in discussions on the best way to advance collectively the prospects of their ports through the work of the Association.

MedCruise presented the findings of a just-completed study of financing options and models for cruise ports and terminals. Just completed, different models included public and private financing alternatives, as well as various levels of joint ventures with cruise lines.  So far, the trend in the Mediterranean has been for privatization of cruise terminals. Today, 41 percent are publicly owned, 31 percent are private and 27 percent have private-public ownership.

MedCruise also made public the CLIA-Europe joint statement on to the European Commission on Coastal and Maritime Tourism for Blue Growth, aiming to promote cruise activities in Europe and beyond. The statement focus on the need to generate permanent platforms on cruise tourism, better procedures for tourism promotion of cruise tourism and development of new destinations, destination management.

Highlights included discussions with cruise lines included a session discussing "Cruising the East Med", chaired by Stavros Hatzakos, MedCruise President, and with the participation of Haluk Sayman, Alanya Cruise Port, Claudius Docekal, Azamara Club Cruises, Erkunt Oner, Tura Turizm, Rob Roberts, Princess Cruises, Justin Poulsen, Holland America Line, and Thomas Rucht, TUI Cruises.

They also included the "Challenges and Prospects for the Cruise Sector In the Med", Ports & Cruise Lines Session, chaired by David Selby, Travelyields Consulting Ltd, with the participation of Russell Daya, Disney Cruises, Sander Groothuis, Windstar Cruises, Mark Robinson, Intercruises, and Miguel Reyna, Royal Caribbean Cruises.

In line with the MedCruise tradition, the associations members and associate members will have a first class opportunity to discuss the developments in the region, while they will also devote time in B2B meetings with cruise lines executives.