POINTE BLANCHE--Port St. Maarten was represented at the just concluded Seatrade Cruise Global held in Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Centre, Florida. The Port delegation comprised Port Management and Supervisory Board of Directors.
The conference programmes offered attendees panel discussions and workshops by experts, leaders and thought-makers of the cruise industry.
The conference touched on Shorex and the Rise of Voluntourism, one of the fastest- growing areas of travel with cruise lines and tour operators meeting these trends by offering volunteering opportunities or “social impact” travel.
“Seasonality and its Impact on Deployment,” “Global Ports and Terminals: Globalization Examined” and “Cybercrime on the High Seas: How Cyber Attacks Occur and What You Can Do about Them” were also covered at the conference.
Port representatives have discussed onshore developments, inland passenger and crew spending, deployment of vessels and home porting with cruise stakeholders at the conference.
Port officials attended the State of the Global Cruise Industry, which looked at Cuba, expansion in Asia and other geopolitical issues affecting the cruise industry. The chief executives of the largest cruise companies, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Norwegian Line, and MSC Cruises, gave their take on the issues.
A presentation and panel discussion related to the State of the Industry focused on “Upscale Cruising.” Panellists examined how upscale operators are meeting costly technology demands, such as free Wi-Fi, and how they are differentiating their brands in today’s market.
Seatrade Cruise Global is the leading annual global business-to-business event for the cruise industry, which brings together buyers and suppliers for a four-day conference and three-day exhibition.
