MedCruise President's message - March 2010 17/03/2010 We feel fortunate in the Mediterranean and in our adjoining seas that, all in all, despite the global recession, cruise traffic numbers have remained steady through 2009. MedCruise ports saw significant annual growth in cruise passenger traffic in 2008, continuing the Mediterranean’s trend of over 10% average annual growth over the last decade. In 2009, some regions and some ports saw these same double-digit growth rates continue, but other ports and regions experienced a decline. So in sum, compared to 2008, 2009 passenger traffic numbers remained level.   MedCruise ports are hopeful for continued growth for two main reasons: the continuing expansion of a still growing European source market – a market that chooses time and time again the Mediterranean regions as its primary destination, and the ship owners’ commitment in increasing capacity to meet this growing local market demand.   We are thankful to the cruise lines for expanding the Med’s capacity, first by increasing the number of lower berths on the global market by introducing 12 new ships (and many very large ships) to the world’s fleet in 2010 alone, and second by expanding the number of  ships in our seas during the milder months of November through March.   The growth in lower berth capacity in 2010 and the cruise lines’ adeptness in filling those berths mean that the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) forecasts a global growth rate of 6.4% more cruise passengers during this year. This is a figure MedCruise ports hope to meet and exceed. And, to the delight of experienced cruisers, several ships are now cruising Mediterranean waters year-round, when temperatures are mild and when they can visit our historic and cultural monuments in a more exclusive setting, with fewer other visitors.   MedCruise port figures show that since 2007, high passenger volumes indicate November is now a “high season” month for much of the Mediterranean. This bodes well for the months of December through February as traffic figures for these months continue to grow at our ports.   Expanding our high season to include winter months will make room for more growth in our seas. Meanwhile, MedCruise continues to offer workshops and forums where our ports and the cruise lines join efforts to expand our ability to meet the demand during the months with most traffic.   Managing congestion at MedCruise marquee ports means that, for the long run, MedCruise and its cruise line sister associations, such as CLIA and the European Cruise Council, must continue to advocate for the financing of expanded cruise port infrastructure. And in the near term, MedCruise commits to assisting the industry in managing congestion and improving the levels of service at its member ports by two initiatives it hopes to unveil in 2010: a unified Mediterranean berth reservation process, and a handbook on cruise port benchmarks and best practices for services and facilities for its member ports. You’ll definitely be hearing more from us on these initiatives in the coming months.             Giovanni Spadoni, President of MedCruise