At the Seatrade Cruise Med in Malaga (Spain), Figen Ayan (MedCruise President) participated in the ‘Common Ground: Port Association Dialogue’ session alongside leaders from 4 other European port associations.
Joining Ayan on the panel were Monica Berstad (Cruise Norway), Klaus Bondam (Cruise Baltic), Simone Tommaso Maraschi (Cruise Europe) and Ian McQuade (Cruise Britain), with Roger Blum moderating the discussion.
The panel explored ways to harmonize the cruise industry’s growth with the sustainability of urban and rural environments. The associations acknowledged concerns about overtourism in Europe and discussed strategies to balance tourism with local community needs. They also expressed appreciation for Seatrade’s role in fostering dialogue and collaboration.
Additionally, Ayan took part in the ‘State of the Mediterranean Industry’ session, where industry leaders including Marie-Caroline Laurent, Chris Theophilides, and Mario Zanetti examined market trends, future priorities, and the necessity for collaboration on innovation and sustainable growth. Mary Bond moderated the panel.
A key outcome of these discussions was a joint commitment by the five European and Mediterranean port associations to advocate for sustainable development in the cruise sector. Emphasizing the importance of transparency and cooperation, they pledged to work together to tackle shared challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Throughout the event, MedCruise Board members engaged in panels and roundtables, while the MedCruise booth facilitated over 100 B2B meetings and hosted presentations by various members.