The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosted the 2nd Cruise Tourism and Sustainability Conference aboard the AIDAcosma, organized in collaboration with AIDA Cruises and the Blue Economy Chair of the University of La Laguna. The conference, themed “Innovation and Sustainable Development in the Cruise Industry,” convened institutional representatives, industry professionals, port operators, academic experts, and cruise companies to discuss the future of the cruise sector within the blue economy.
Luz Marina Espiau Moreno, Head of Commercial and Business Development at the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Board Member of MedCruise, delivered a presentation titled “The Cruise Industry from a Port Perspective.” She outlined the port's strategic initiatives focusing on decarbonization, digitization, circular economy principles, and inter-institutional cooperation. Espiau Moreno highlighted the cruise industry's role as a comprehensive value chain that provides economic, social, cultural, and territorial benefits. In 2024, the Ports of Tenerife recorded over 1.4 million cruise passengers, with each ship call engaging more than 20 local businesses.
The conference was inaugurated by Pedro Suárez López de Vergara, President of the Port Authority, alongside representatives from the University of La Laguna and the Government of the Canary Islands. Notable speakers included Manuel Maqueda, an expert in circular economy, who addressed cruise sector sustainability; Federico Navarro Cabrera, who discussed current regulatory challenges; and José María Reyes Sarmiento from the Port of Cádiz, who presented a case study on Onshore Power Supply (OPS) implementation. Captain Cofalka, Master of the AIDAcosma, detailed sustainable operations of AIDA ships, focusing on technologies aimed at reducing emissions and optimizing energy use. Additionally, Santiago Yanes Díaz introduced the Net-Zero Mar alliance, dedicated to maritime decarbonization and promoting green ports in the Canary Islands.
Espiau Moreno also discussed the positive impact of cruise tourism on La Palma's economic recovery following the Tajogaite volcano eruption, noting that in 2024, the island welcomed a record 254,000 cruise visitors, significantly supporting local businesses and revitalizing tourism in the affected areas. The conference emphasized the role of cruise tourism in urban regeneration, local employment creation, and enhancing air connectivity during the low season, contributing to sustainable development in island regions.
The event concluded with a focus on the educational program “All Aboard!”, promoted by the Port Authority to engage primary school students with values such as sustainability, equality, and teamwork, reinforcing the port’s role as a social and educational stakeholder. The 2nd Cruise Tourism and Sustainability Conference underscored the importance of such gatherings as platforms for education, public awareness, and strengthening public-private partnerships, positioning ports as open, sustainable, and forward-looking entities aligned with their communities. Through this event, the Ports of Tenerife reaffirmed their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cooperation in the cruise industry, advancing a model that balances competitiveness, environmental responsibility, and regional integration.