THECRUISE INDUSTRY COMESTOGETHERAT SEATRADE CRUISEGLOBAL LOLI DOLZ Director Diario del Puerto Publications Three, two, one... it’s time for Seatrade Cruise Global. This week, in Fort Lauderdale, the global cruise industry’s premier B2B event is expected to bring together buyers and suppliers from 140 countries. Cruise industry experts will be taking part in an extensive conference program (drawing together the most influential names in the industry), breakout sessions where they will be learning about the latest trends in each of the industry’s sectors (interior design, entertainment, environment and health, hotel operations and concessions, information technology, ports and destinations, safety and security, and shipbuilding and equipment, etc.) and an exhibition area for networking events with 500 exhibitors. In addition, on the innovation side, Seatrade has launched its Matchmaking Lounge, a unique space for private meetings with contacts organized through new AI-powered matchmaking software and a team of specialized professionals; and has once again welcomed back the Interactive Tech Zone, ”an attractive, educational and immersive area” where visitors can interact while learning about new initiatives such as emotion recognition, dynamic digital screens, simulators for crew training and the inclusion of information technology in the day-to-day running of cruise ships. Over 10,000 visitors and 300 international journalists will be learning first-hand about the immediate future of the industry, which closed last year on a positive note. In fact, the cruise industry in Europe and the Mediterranean is confident that 2023 will end with passenger traffic levels very similar to the record-breaking figures of 2019. Cruise lines, ports and agents are working to achieve this with innovative proposals marked by sustainability. In this regard, according to CLIA, in the near future, ”one in five ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and two out of three ships will be equipped with shore power systems”. In addition, 24 LNG-powered ships will be launched in the next six years. Meanwhile, cruise lines stress that sustainability is their number one priority, and they are preparing effective measures to ensure that their operations have zero impact on the planet by the year 2050. Ambitious? Yes. Necessary? Obvious. Possible? Of course, because if themain players in the market have set their sights on this target, they are going to achieve it. By the way, if you want to find out more about the plans of the leading cruise lines operating in Spain and the country’s main ports and destinations, Diario del Puerto Publicaciones brings you this special issue you have already started to read. This bilingual report is also distributed at trade fairs. We hope you enjoy the latest news contained inside!
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