16 October 2025 — The second joint meeting of the AIVP–MedCruise Cruises & Port Cities Working Group took place today, gathering representatives from Mediterranean ports, cities, and industry experts to continue advancing the dialogue on sustainable port-city relations.
Following the success of the first session held in May, today’s meeting focused on Flow Management and Mobility — a crucial topic for achieving balanced integration between cruise operations and urban life. The session featured Alessandro Vacca, Senior Consultant and Project Manager at Systematica, who shared valuable insights on mobility dynamics and passenger flow optimisation in cruise destinations.
A key highlight of the meeting was the selection of the host port for the next in-person session, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 (date to be confirmed). Following live presentations and an online vote among participating members, the Port of Taranto was officially announced as the successful host port.
The Working Group, co-led by AIVP and MedCruise, continues to serve as a collaborative platform fostering knowledge exchange, best practices and shared strategies to strengthen the sustainable development of cruise and port-city relations.
The next meeting in Taranto will further expand on the group’s thematic priorities — including sustainability, community engagement, governance and flow management — and offer an opportunity for in-person collaboration among member ports and cities.
About the Working Group
The AIVP – MedCruise Working Group on Cruises and Port Cities is a joint initiative launched in 2021 by MedCruise (The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports) and AIVP (Association Internationale Villes et Ports). The group brings together representatives from port cities, cruise ports, and cruise operators to address shared challenges and promote sustainable strategies. Through regular exchanges, the Working Group aims to enhance the positive impact of cruise activities while fostering stronger integration with local communities and urban environments.
