“Navigate through the Cruise Industry” Conference took place last week in Carob Mills in Limassol under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, in a year at which our local ports surpassed the accommodation of more than 300.000 passengers in total.
Distinguished guests and panellists including the Director of the Eastern Mediterranean region of CLIA, Mrs Maria Deligianni, Commercial & Business Development Manager of DP World Limassol Mr. Lazaros Charalambous and the General Manager of Kition Ocean Port, Captain Paris Demetriou analysed and shared key trends and priorities of the sector.
The Conference participants including ship and travel agents and tour operators -amidst current disruptions due to the unfortunate developments in the Middle East-had a very fruitful discussion on the current issues that the industry is facing whilst the guests had the opportunity to witness newly formulated tourist products aiming to enhance passengers’ experience when disembarking for a few hours visit in the Republic.
Throughout the the discussion, participants in the Conference highlighted the need and opportunity to attract more direct flights to Cyprus from various markets with the aim to promote home port cruising as a tourist package.
Last but not least the conclusion of the Conference was that whilst cruise tourism may begin and end at the ports, what truly matters is the visitor’s experience during this period and this is precisely what stakeholders must explore, by joining forces to support the industry and proactively address the challenges.
The Cyprus Shipping Association (CSA) was established in 1945, to provide a professional forum for the Shipping Agents of Cyprus. In 1954, following its registration under the provisions of the local Trade Unions Law, the Association became the official body representing the profession of the Shipping Agent in Cyprus. The Members of the Association are the leading and long established Shipping Agencies in the island.
The main aims of the Cyprus Shipping Association are:
As the spokesman for the Shipping Agents in Cyprus, the Cyprus Shipping Association ensures that its voice is heard on public issues affecting its members and contributing to the solution of all their problems. The Association also acts as liaison, negotiator and representative for its members in their dealings with the Government, the Legislature, the Port Authorities, the Department of Customs, the Business Community, the Trade Unions and all other interested parties.
With the Shipping Agent being actively involved in the operation and marketing of the Cyprus Ports, the Cyprus Shipping Association plays an important role in port affairs, taking part in the formation of policies applied and the solution to problems arising. The Association maintains close links with other local and international professional bodies pursuing common objectives. Its international affiliations include membership of the Federation Of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA), the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA). At local level it is a member of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (C.C.C.I) and the Employers and Industrialists Federation of Cyprus (E.I.F).
The Cyprus Shipping Association further provides its members with a platform for the exchange of professional experiences of common interest and acts as a centre for the collection, evaluation and distribution of information on local and international developments relevant to the profession and the port industry in general. In a day and age of revolutionary changes and of enormous growth in competition, the Association places increased emphasis on the upgrading of the skills of its members and their staff, the technological advancement of their operations and the strategic planning of their activities.
