Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2007

After successful implementation of the tourism innovations in 2006 cruise season, the port of Klaipeda is ready to offer such services in the coming season of 2008.   Thereby, an attempt is being made to maintain the status of a port meeting the highest reception standards and introducing port dues rebate/discount system in 2008.   The new port rates policy is based on the strategic development of cruise shipping in the Baltic Sea, where this port industry is showing the trend of continuous growth.   The Port Authority intends to reduce the port dues in order to develop this shipping industry.  After a several years of receipt of the highest evaluations from the major cruise terminal operators, the Port Authority is sure about the strategy of determination of the new rates.  

 

A joint delegation consisting of representatives of the Klaipeda State Seaport, Klaipeda Tourism and Culture Information Centre, private company UAB “Limarko”, ship repair yard AB „Klaipėdos laivų remontas“ and UAB „Krantas Travel“ is attending the well-known cruise shipping event Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention to take place in Miami (USA) on March 13-15, 2007.  The number of the Lithuanian stand “Cruise Lithuania KLAIPĖDA” is 408.

 

During this event (both at the exhibition and individually) members of the delegation meet representatives of cruise lines, cruise and tourism companies, international organisations and international project groups.  

 

In the “Cruise History” of 2006 Klaipeda cruise season featured a number of attractive innovations:  visitors from cruise ships were given a pennant with the city plan showing the sightseeing places; guests to the port were treated to a cup of herbal tea brewed according to an original recipe and flavoured with honey; tourists were offered new routes, for instance, they were given an opportunity to familiarize with the colourful lifestyle of the Lithuanian village, trades and crafts, try traditional meals and specialities, which form an integral part of the country’s past.  In addition, on occasion of arrival of larger ships as a tradition Jomarkas (trade fair) was arranged, where the visitors could see and get to know the pieces of art and craft of folk artists, woodcarvers, jewellers, weavers and other craftsmen.  

 

The port of Klaipeda has prepared news for the cruise season of 2007 as well.  52 cruise vessels are expected to call at Klaipeda during this season; in 2006 cruise season 48 calls and 25 014 cruise passengers were recorded, and 19 cruise ships have already been registered for arrival in 2008 cruise season). Every guest will be presented with the bottle of still mineral water NEPTŪNAS called so after the ancient Lithuanian water deity name, so that having satisfied thirst he or she would be able to continue sightseeing of the old town.  

To promote the cruise business, an international conference “Passenger Transport Trends in the European Union within the limits of the Baltic Sea” within the framework of INTERREG III C project Port-Net will be held this spring that will take place on 22-23 May 207 in Klaipeda.   

 

In general, cruise business is a continuously developing and growing market segment (cruise shipping travels in Europe have 1 % consumers) and plays an increasingly important role in the economy of Europe.  For example, in 2005 direct expenditure of cruise lines totalled 8.3 billion Euros, while passengers spent 19.1 billion Euros (24.8 billion US dollars); 187,000 new jobs were created and 6 billion Euros paid out in wages.  

The report states that 36 cruise lines with 100 cruise ships, having 86 000 sleeping accommodations, operated on a permanent basis in Europe in 2005. Another 40 ships with 44 100 sleeping accommodations operated in Europe, however, not on European lines.  

                      Based on 2005 data, the top 10 European ports included Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Palma (Mallorca), Venice, Southampton, Savona, Copenhagen, Genoa, Piratus and Dover. The top 10 ports of call included Naples, Livorno, Nice/Villefranche, Marseilles, Limassol, Palermo, Valetta, Saint Petersburg, Tallinn and Bari.