ON THE SOAPBOX: The cruise ports of Europe speak as one

Following a record summer, and with the vast majority of cruise ships retreating to warmer climes for the winter it seemed a good time to highlight a significant step forward in regional and international collaboration focussed on developing sustainable solutions to tourism and environmental challenges. Cruise Baltic, Cruise Britain, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise bring over 400 ports, destinations and industry service providers into a collaborative new initiative designed to support the continuing sustainable development of the European cruise industry.

The port and destination cruise associations have announced a strategic alliance marking a significant step forward in regional and international collaboration focussed on developing sustainable solutions to tourism and environmental challenges. Cruise Baltic, Cruise Britain, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise bring over 400 ports, destinations and industry service providers into a collaborative new initiative designed to support the continuing sustainable development of the European cruise industry.

As leaders in the European cruise port community, the orgnisations recognize the importance of working together to create innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure the long-term viability of European ports and destinations while protecting the environments and communities that are key to cruise tourism.

By pooling resources, expertise and experiences, this strategic alliance aims to promote best practices across the region and strengthen collective efforts to minimise environmental impacts and develop cruise tourism responsibly. The alliance looks to increase work with key stakeholders both within the wider cruise community and externally, and to support all members in their work across the European cruising areas.

The alliance will initially focus on two primary areas that together can support the creation of a model of sustainable tourism.

• Developing strategies to better manage the flow of cruise passengers in popular destinations, ensuring that cruise tourism remains a positive force for local economies and cultures while minimizing pressure on infrastructure and ecosystems.

• Sharing best practices on the adoption of greener technologies such as shore power, alternative fuels and waste management solutions, that can further reduce the environmental footprint of cruise tourism.

Ian McQuade, Chair, Cruise Britain, said: "Cruise Britain is proud to be a part of this new initiative that will support the sustainable growth of the cruise sector in the wider European cruise region. This alliance strengthens our collective ability to address our common challenges through shared best practice and transparent communication, and we look forward to working with our new partners".

Together, the five associations have made this comment: "As an alliance of European and Mediterranean cruise ports and destinations represented by Cruise Baltic, Cruise Britain, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise, we’re focused on promoting sustainable growth within the cruise industry. We understand the common challenges our members and partners face and we believe that we can find innovative solutions by working together with all stakeholders in a transparent fashion; these solutions will work to ensure that the cruise industry and all our environments from urban to rural can coexist in harmony with other forms of tourism.

Acknowledging the current concerns about overtourism in some European destinations, our priority is to develop and promote strategies and messaging that facilitate the cruise sector in striking a successful balance between tourism and communities. By joining forces and working together with cruise lines and other key stakeholders, we are committed to advocating for a responsible approach to cruising – one that delivers for our guests, respects our communities, protects our natural heritage and fragile environments, and contributes positively to local economies”.

About the Associations

Cruise Baltic
32 ports and destinations in the Baltic Sea
www.cruisebaltic.com

Cruise Britain
45 ports, destinations and service providers across Britain
www.cruisebritain.org  

Cruise Europe  
140 members in over 20 countries
www.cruiseeurope.com

Cruise Norway
55 ports, destinations and partners across Norway
www.cruise-norway.no  

MedCruise
154 ports and destinations spanning 22 countries and 3 continents and 57 service providers across the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
www.medcruise.com

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