CruiseBritain has joined forces with the European Sea Ports Organisation and associations representing Mediterranean, European and Scandinavian cruise ports in a strategic alliance designed to enhance European-wide co-operation.
“The invitation to join with fellow cruise port associations is an affirmation of CruiseBritain’s work in raising the profile of Britain as a cruise destination,” said Daren Taylor, Chair of CruiseBritain.
“Together with colleagues at Med Cruise, Cruise Europe, Cruise Baltic and Cruise Norway, we will work through ESPO’s Cruise and Ferry Ports Network to achieve a clear voice with European institutions, develop a useful Code of Practice and engage in constructive dialogue with other industry stakeholders such as the cruise lines.”
ESPO’s newly formed Cruise and Ferry Ports Network is a revitalised continuation of the ESPO Passenger Committee and the Network has already announced the preparation of the European Cruise ports Code of Conduct.
CruiseBritain attended the Network’s inaugural meeting in January 2015 and encouraged its 28 port members to participate in the Europe-wide port survey that looked to identify common challenges and priorities.
“I am very happy that Cruise Britain has now joined the ESPO Cruise and Ferry Ports Network. ESPO has been representing the port authorities towards the EU policy makers for more than twenty years. We are more than an interest representation, we are also a knowledge network. With the cooperation of Cruise Britain and all other regional cruise port organisations, we will be able to strengthen our knowledge about the needs and concerns of EU cruise ports and give a clear signal to the Brussels political scene of what Europe can do for the cruise ports and vice versa,” said Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO’s Secretary General.
The new alliance was first announced at Seatrade Med in September 2014 and CruiseBritain is the first additional cruise association to join since its inception.
