This significant international event was announced at FITUR with the support of the port and the destination institutions.
In the context of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), Málaga set out the upcoming edition of Seatrade Cruise Med. This is one of the most important events in the global cruise segment that will host the main cruise lines, tour operators and industry agents for the second time in a row.
This remarkable professional meeting, supported by the port and the destination institutions, celebrates its second edition in Málaga. This one is supported by the success of the previous edition, being the first time that it will be repeated in the same location since it started as an itinerant event.
In this sense, Málaga, the Costa del Sol, and Andalusia will once again take center stage in the sector during September 11th and 12th, 2024, at the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Málaga (FYCMA).
The Global Brand and Events of Seatrade Cruise, Chiara Giorgi, commented that ‘It is an honour to announce officially the return of Seatrade Cruise Med to Málaga. I would like to express my gratitude to our local partners and collaborators for their support of this event’. Giorgi added that ‘since its inception in Genova in 1996, it has served as a meeting point for companies in the Mediterranean cruise industry, providing opportunities for dialogue and networking with professionals in the sector”.
On the other hand, the Málaga’s team, led by the Port Authority, the Tourism Department of the City Council, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Andalusian Government, and the Málagaport Foundation, is already working with the organization of the fair and collaborating partners, such as Medcruise, Ports of Spain, Global Ports, Málaga Cruise Port, City Sightseeing and Suncruise Andalucia.
The president of the Port Authority, Carlos Rubio, emphasized that ‘the celebration of Seatrade Cruise Med, for the second time in Málaga, represents a unique opportunity to continue positioning ourselves as a leading port and destination within the European market. The possibility of welcoming hundreds of executives from major cruise lines will allow us to showcase in-depth the extensive range of services of the port facility and the destination, as well as its entire area of influence.
The Mayor of Málaga Council, Francisco de la Torre, highlighted that ‘cruise tourism is becoming increasingly important. We like that the city is open to the sea. It is important for us that the citizens understand how much this type of tourism contributes to the economic activity of the capital and its reputation. The celebration of Seatrade Cruise Med is a significant support for Málaga as a cruise destination and as a homeport for cruise lines. Attracting this type of tourism adds quality, excellence, and value to the destination.”
The president of the Provincial Government of Málaga, Francisco Salado, expressed pride ‘in the extraordinary results of the cruise segment on the Costa del Sol. This sector contributes significantly to the development of the city and the province. In this sense, we promote familiarization trips and excursions which will also be featured during Seatrade Cruise Med, as it was done in the previous edition.'”
Finally, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Andalusian Government, Víctor González, emphasized that this event “consolidates Málaga as one of the main ports in the country and positions Andalusia as a reference destination in the Mediterranean”. Additionally, he assured that the meeting ‘will allow us to improve awareness of the cruise, drawing new ships and call as well as a premium segment of travellers who generate a remarkable spending in the community and contribute to deseasonalise the tourist activity.
Promotion opportunity
The previous edition, held in 2022, achieved attendance figures above the average of other years, according to the organization which expects to welcome:
- Over 2,000 attendees.
- Participants from more than 80 countries.
- Over 180 exhibiting companies.
- More than 175 professionals from the cruise industry.
Seatrade Cruise Med will provide significant visibility to Málaga and other ports in the region as a top-level cruise destination. The hosting of this fair will also reinforce Spain’s role as one of the main destinations in Europe.
In this case, the President of Ports of Spain, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, reiterated the support of this organization, highlighting ‘the collaboration of administrations, port community, and operators to position Málaga as a reference in the cruise sector. The last edition in 2022 was successful and this year we are confident that it will be as well”.
The General Assembly of Medcruise, the Association of Cruise Ports in the Mediterranean which the Port of Malaga belongs to, will take place in the conext of this fair. It is one of the reasons the port was able to apply to host this event. Its president, Figen Ayan, confirmed that “Málaga is not only a beautiful southern Spanish port town but also one of the oldest cities in the world. As you walk through its streets, you feel as if you are journeying through time, encountering influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, each leaving their unique mark on this incredible destination. Come and join MedCruise, come and join the cruise industry at Seatrade Cruise Med in inspiring Málaga, Spain where we will do networking, create new business opportunities while tasting amazing delicacies!”
In addition to this, throughout the week, a diverse program of activities will take place in the port once again. It will be the third edition of Málaga Cruise Days.
