ICS: The resilience of the cruise world
The 12th International Cruise Summit, held in Madrid and organized by Cruises News Media Group, put the spotlight on the global issues of rising costs and labor shortages that are affecting the cruise industry and most other economic activities.
The cruise industry recovered strongly in 2022, although employment levels have not yet peaked. New high-capacity ships with environmentally friendly technologies have been added in the past 3 years, while older, smaller and inefficient ships have been scrapped.
International Cruise Summit
The lack of flights or their low frequency on some routes is still evident and more ports of embarkation are being chosen, as well as passenger transportation by train or even bus.
The shortage phenomenon is occurring in several areas of the supply chain: from the shortage of buses, drivers and tour guides for excursions, to the difficulty in finding personnel willing to work on board and in port operations.
Sustainability, a true mantra of cruise lines, has extended its influence far beyond the ships, into corporate offices and even into destinations, where a holistic approach is sought that considers not only good environmental practices at the port level, but also of the entire destination value chain.
International Cruise Summit
The companies are also investing in research into new energy sources, such as hydrogen, ammonia or methanol, with prototypes designed to come on line in the next few years.
As part of its sustainability program, Cruises News Media Group donated signage stands and surplus material to be reused for NGO activities in developing countries.
It was also pointed out that the industry is formalizing agreements with selected countries, such as Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, to train crew members to work on Caribbean cruise ships. River cruising has found a new model for longer trips that are in high demand among consumers. And finally, although 34 percent of cruise travelers are Generation C and millennials, communication about the value of cruising must continue to improve to increase this percentage.
International Cruise Summit
The International Cruise Summit 2023 will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Hotel Meliá Castilla in Madrid.
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