Mrs Pasquale Hattemberg, responsible for Tourism for Villefranche city council and Mr Michel Chevillon, member of the board of the French Riviera CCI have been appointed respectively president and vice president of the French Riviera Cruise Club.
The world cruise industry remains buoyant despite the economic crisis that has affected other sectors. This said, the French Riviera must continue to evolve and to find new ways to maintain its market share.
The number of cruise passengers in 2016 is estimated to equal that of 2015, at around 550 000 passengers.
The attractions of the Riviera and the numerous initiatives carried out by the French Riviera Cruise Club have helped keep our destination attractive in the face of competition in the nearby areas, and we can send an optimistic message to our stakeholders.
The French Riviera must continue its efforts to remain attractive. Competition is getting stronger and we must pull together to keep our clients and to enhance the appeal of our destinations.
The cruise industry on the French Riviera generates an economic benefit of some 40 million euros and cruises represent an important means for tourists to visit the destination. Fifty percent of cruise passengers to the French Riviera are visiting for the first time, while 86 percent state that they would like to return under their own steam.
« Our challenge is to position the French Riviera as a major destination of the Mediterranean » says PasqualeHattemberg. Michel Chevillon, who has been involved in the FRCC since its creation, will bring his expertise in tourism and hospitality. He adds that « it’s an honour for me to be the lynch pin in the promotion of the French Riviera with cruise company decision makers.
The French Riviera Cruise Club’s 2016 road map was presented to tourism stakeholders on Tuesday 5th January:
Cruise club decision-making board members:
