MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar promotes cruise tourism at the Seatrade Europe Conference

Almost 380.000 cruise visitors will be calling in Gibraltar this season

The Gibraltar Port Authority is participating in the Seatrade Europe Conference and Exhibition, recognised as Europe’s leading meeting place for the cruise, ferry, river-cruise and super-yacht industries.

The event opened this week at the Hamburg Messe Fairground in Germany and consists of 4 days of conference and exhibition with over 1000 companies from 100 different countries represented.

The Gibraltar delegation is headed by Captain Peter Hall, Captain of the Port and Albert Poggio, Director of the London Office who will be attending a meeting of the European Cruise Council and fulfilling a pre-arranged programme of meetings.

The Gibraltar Port Authority will have its own stand – number 822 in the cruise destinations pavilion of the trade show and will also be represented as a member of the MedCruise organisation.

“The European cruise market continues to grow. Gibraltar too is set to break its record of cruise passenger arrivals this year with an expected 247 calls carrying almost 380,000 passengers. However, the cruise industry has not escaped the effects of the economic downturn and this will be noticed next year, with fewer passengers booking cruise holidays for 2010. Despite the possible effects of this downturn it is important for Gibraltar to market itself to cruise companies as a primary cruise destination in the Mediterranean. Seatrade Europe 2009 provides Gibraltar with the most appropriate platform on which to do this,” said Minister for Transport, with responsibility for the Port, Joe Holliday.