Cruising Journal

Inclusiveness: The 64th MedCruise General Assembly

The 64th MedCruise General Assembly was held at the H10 Imperial Tarraco Hotel in Tarragona from June 11, coinciding with MedCruise‘s 28th anniversary, to June 14, 2024. The event featured three days of panels, presentations, and organized events focusing on inclusivity and the Human Tower, a regional symbol that epitomizes the heart of the event.

The event was attended by the President of the Port Authority, Mr. Saul Garrets, the Mayor of Tarragona, Mr. Ruben Viñuales, MedCruise President Mrs. Figen Ayan, and key local authorities, along with 26 cruise line executives from 23 different companies and 15 national and international media guests.

The opening of the new cruise terminal at the Port of Tarragona marked the event’s commencement. The terminal, which saw an increase from just 13 cruises in 2013 to 57 calls and over 110,000 passengers in 2023, is expected to grow to 65 calls and about 120,000 passengers in 2024. This highlights the commitment to developing the cruise sector. The modern terminal, with a state-of-the-art structure spanning 2,204 m², aims to enhance the passenger experience while promoting sustainable tourism in the region. It will cater to both transit and homeport operations and offer amenities like a café, shops, Wi-Fi, bus parking (up to 50 buses), a taxi station (up to 20 taxis), and a shuttle service (available upon request). The event included a festive evening with music, masks, and refreshments.

Inclusivity was the main theme, prominently featured during the panel “Women Power in the Waters,” which included Captain Kate McCue of Celebrity Cruises, Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of CLIA Europe, and MedCruise President Figen Ayan, moderated by Anne-Marie Spinosi, Director of the MedCruise Board and Corsica Ports Cruise. The panel discussed the tools needed to encourage young women to enter the maritime sector, noting that women make up only 2% of seafarers worldwide. The testimonies of these women instilled confidence in the growth of these numbers, sending a clear and strong message of inclusivity and gender equality.

The theme was also represented by the presentation of “Queer Destinations,” a travel and tourism company based in Mexico City, Mexico, focusing on LGBTQ+ community travel and tourism. CEO and partner Edgar Weggelaar addressed the community’s needs in terms of experiences and services at ports and destinations. Queer Destinations is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all customers, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, incorporating updated statistical data, interviews, and practical case studies. A videoclip during the presentation depicted a world where heterosexual couples were not the norm, highlighting the discomfort some might feel in certain situations, which Queer Destinations aims to alleviate by creating environments where people can freely express their sexuality.

Another key theme was the Human Tower, symbolizing universal values like teamwork, solidarity, a sense of belonging, and the integration of people of all ages, origins, races, and social backgrounds. This was followed by a workshop where attendees could share and experience the essence of this tradition, declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2010.

Other highly interesting panels focused on port and destination services, emphasizing social sustainability by highlighting ongoing actions to make the onshore experience more sustainable. These initiatives include improving passenger mobility and promoting lesser-known attractions to avoid overcrowding at major tourist sites. Strategies were discussed for integrating small and medium-sized ports into cruise itineraries, aiming to understand how one port is chosen over another. Finally, there was a discussion on Mediterranean expeditions to determine their feasibility, as more cruise companies are working to create unique global experiences for passengers by importing expedition activities from Antarctica or the Arctic to Mediterranean destinations. However, the regulatory and environmental challenges along the way and the diversity of the regions were also discussed. Additionally, a session was dedicated to a presentation on new EU immigration regulations provided by Frontex. The new regulations include a new border control system (EES) expected in autumn 2024, aimed at non-European citizens residing outside the Schengen area, which will require significant changes to cruise terminal checks. By mid-2025, non-European passengers and crew from 60 visa-exempt countries will need to individually complete an ETIAS travel application.

Highlights of the program included B2B meetings for cruise lines, port representatives, and industry players to discuss emerging issues and strengthen business relationships. A gala dinner featured a live Human Tower performance, impressing and captivating attendees, and a farewell dinner at PortAventura World, showcasing Tarragona’s attractions. Excursions explored UNESCO World Heritage Site Tarragona, Reus, Poblet and Montblanc, Priorat, and more.

MedCruise, which promotes the cruise industry and unites the ports of the Mare Nostrum and adjacent seas, is certainly an event that focuses on important themes for the cruise industry. It opens up useful points of reflection to achieve the sector’s goals in terms of sustainability, inclusivity, and much more. The event is accompanied by moments of celebration and exploration that bring attendees together, inviting them to share personal ideas and opinions that are useful and instructive. This helps everyone move towards common goals that concern the cruise industry.

Stay tuned for more news, updates, and reviews on the world of cruising on Cruising Journal with photos, videos, and cruise offers.

Giorgia Lombardo

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