The FITUR section dedicated to cruises presents the trends and best offers in blue tourism and calls for its traditional Cruise Scavenger Hunt this weekend
FITUR Cruises, a section dedicated to the cruise sector, returns from January 24 to 28, 2024 and turns Pavilion 4 of IFEMA MADRID into the epicenter of the so-called “blue tourism” with a complete program of presentations from the main players in the industry and activities.
The space will have Cruise Market, an open area that simulates the deck of a ship and where shipping companies, institutions, ports and agencies will be represented in different stands, and Cruise Campus, a program of open courses where different presentations and presentations on marketing will be held, communication and travel experience. Thus, during the five days of the 44th edition of FITUR, the section will be the reference maritime enclave where professionals and the public will be able to enjoy networking events, practical and dynamic talks for all ages with the aim of promoting a deeper knowledge of this vacation offer and business opportunities.
Complete program of FITUR Cruises 2024
Wednesday, January 24
11:15 Welcome
Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto
11:30 ‘Cruise passenger experiences: from expectation to reality’ Frank Babinger, professor at the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism of the Complutense University of Madrid, proposes in his presentation how to discover what they are and how to
confirm that the reserved expectation of a cruise is what you actually experience.
12:35 ‘Discover Costa Cruises and Live Your Wonder!’
Jorge Serrano, Commercial Director for Spain and Portugal of Costa Cruises, presents the main aspects of the company’s commercial product, the details of the new concept of Sea Destinations itineraries and the communication plan for Live Your Wonder!
13:00 ‘Ceuta, door to Europe: where emotions come together’.
Carola Gómez, technician responsible for Cruises/Ceuta Tourism Guide, and Lorena Carmona Rodríguez, assistant director of the Port Authority of Ceuta, reveal the factors that make the stopover in Ceuta attractive.
14:00 Spanish flavor of Costa: the best entertainment on board
Comedian Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, known as “El Sevilla”, shows the entertainment found on board Costa Cruises.
Thursday, January 25
11:00 ‘What it is like and what cruise passengers are looking for in 2024’. Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto, reviews the evolution of the cruise sector in the last decade.
11:35 ‘Record in cruise ships: this is how Spanish ports experience it’. Jaime Luezas, head of the Port Community Services Area at Puertos del Estado, analyzes the industry from an institutional perspective, offers its main
figures and proposes approaches for the challenges it faces.
12:10 ‘Sailing into the future: Cruise industry trends’. Rubén Olmos, president and CEO of Global Nexus, analyzes the latest statistics and trends in the cruise sector worldwide with emphasis on sustainability, new technologies and fleet, and competitiveness against other segments.
12:45 ‘Cruise Tourism: present and future’. Sandra Carvão, Head of Market and Intelligence at the World Tourism Organization, advances the most important keys to the development and future of cruises and good practices of its actors and destinations.
13:20 ‘Destination Andalusia: action plan to continue growing in 2024. Rafael Carmona Ruiz, President Suncruise Andalucía | Port Authority of Seville, presents its plan to position Andalusia, the only region bathed by the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, into a “cruise destination with its own name.”
13:45 Networking. Suncruise Andalusia.
16:00 Cruceroadicto Awards 2023.
Best ship, best shipping company and best port of 2023, in different subcategories, in the only awards voted 100% by the Spanish-speaking community of travelers.
17:00 Networking. Cruceroadicto and Cafés La Mexicana
After the 2023 Cruceroadicto Awards, winners, finalists, and guests will enjoy a relaxed meeting sponsored by Cafés La Mexicana, a Madrid reference in the world of coffee.
Friday January 26
11:15 Welcome. Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto
11:25 Fun on cruises: how not to die trying? Santiago Méndez de la Cuesta, Cruise & Ancillary Director, Avoris Corporacion Empresarial, reveals in this presentation how to analyze the future client and adjust the
multitude of experiential options that exist to offer the perfect vacation product.
12:00 ‘A walk through magic’. Irma Vidal, Iberia Head of Sales at Disney Destinations Spain and Portugal, reveals
the news of its three destinations: Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.
12:35 ‘Discovering the Best of Greece and Turkey by Cruise’. Osman Erler, General Manager of Miray Cruises, gives the keys to its offer in the Aegean Sea.
Saturday January 27
10:45 Welcome. Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto
11:35 ‘Discover Costa Cruises and Live Your Wonder!’. Jéssica Delgado, head of the Product Training Department, presents the main aspects of Costa Cruises’ commercial product, the details of the
new Sea Destinations itinerary concept and the Live Your Wonder! communication plan.
12:15 Introduction, rules and registration Cruise Scavenger Hunt.
15:00 Cruise Scavenger Hunt Passport Verification
16:00 ‘Cruises without borders: a transformative experience’. Gerardo Vangioni, CEO of Mercy Ships Spain, presents the NGO initiative and the activity of its hospital ships and volunteers
16:35 ‘Why choose when you can have it all?’. Luis Oriol Wangüemert, Key Account Manager Area North, East and Balearic Islands of Baluma Cruises, presents the keys so that the traveler has everything on board his fleet.
17:15 Coffee & Cruises
Great meeting for cruise lovers
18:15 Cruise Scavenger Hunt Raffle
Sunday January 28
10:30 Coffee & Cruises
Great meeting for cruise lovers
Source : FITUR