18 April 2007
Seatrade Europe 2007 rides the wave of the buoyant European cruise market
The cruise industry in Europe is booming, with passenger counts and cruise calls setting new records. Lines are now deploying more berths on the Continent than ever before, with the number of ships undertaking European itineraries growing. Next to the Caribbean, the regions of the North/Baltic and Mediterranean seas are already the world’s favourite cruise destinations.
The European ferry industry is far from lagging behind. Forecasters predict an increase in passenger volume of between two and three percent and three to four percent in freight volume. During the last year at least 20 ferry ships were delivered. Signs of growth are everywhere!
As a result interest in Seatrade Europe Cruise, Ferry and Rivercuise Convention, which takes place between 25-27 September 2007, has never been so strong. Half a year before the event starts, both organisers – Seatrade and Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC), already note a vast increase in bookings compared to Seatrade Europe 2005. For all concerned 2007 is well and truly booming!
In September last year, Seatrade and HMC signed a cooperation agreement about the organisation of Seatrade Europe. This cooperation is already proving a great success: more exhibitors, more exhibition space and more visitors. The number of confirmed exhibitors, for example, has already reached the 200 mark (2005: 134 exhibitors).
“Together with the new Messe Hamburg and the new 7000 sqm exhibition hall at CCH - Congress Center Hamburg, we are able to offer larger halls which offer more exhibition space, modern infrastructure and conference facilities, which are all vitally important to stage international events. The new infrastructure, our service and the maritime focus of Hamburg – are what made Hamburg the firm venue choice for Seatrade Europe,” emphasises Bernd Aufderheide, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hamburg Messe und Congress.
Seatrade Europe 2007 extends out of Northern Europe
While almost three quarters of exhibitors are based in European countries, more non-European organisations will be participating than ever before. This is seen as clear evidence of the growing importance of Europe’s source markets overseas. Destinations such as Cruise Newfoundland & Labrador, Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Saigon Tours from Vietnam, Dubai Department of Tourism, Puerto Costa Maya and the Caribbean Village, to name but a few, will give the event a distinct international flavour. The Caribbean pavilion is also set to double in size!
From Europe, two leading shipyards have confirmed their attendance – Aker Yards and Meyer-Werft. Both yards are benefiting from the buoyant European market with orderbooks bursting at the seams. Included in these orderbooks are four cruise vessels for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, to be delivered between 2007 – 2010, and two 122,000gtt newbuilds for Disney Cruise Lines. Other confirmed exhibitors include a variety of marine equipment and technology suppliers, telecommunication providers, classification societies and interior and outfitting providers. Making their introductory visit will be the propulsion and engine supplier Rolls Royce, who are responsible for the propulsion system on the luxury liner Queen Mary 2.
European ports are thriving, more than 2.8 million passengers embarked on their cruises from a European port in 2005, with the most popular destinations being the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. The number of calls in Northern Europe is rising steadily, by about 10 to 15 percent per year.
“Europe is the fastest growing source market for cruise passengers in the world right now, and 2007 will see more ships, more passengers and more brands visiting more European ports than ever before” said Christopher Hayman, Managing Director of Seatrade.
The cruise lines, therefore, cannot help but view Europe as the market that offers the greatest growth potential for the foreseeable future. Spurred on by this huge growth more Cruise Europe members will be exhibiting than ever before, including - Cruise Sweden, Cruise Norway, Cruise Scotland, port of Cherbourg, Dover and Port of Tyne. Not to be outdone by their northern European counterparts, Mediterranean ports will also be out in force including Civitavecchia, Olbia, Cagliari, Malaga, Vigo and Corsica.
One segment, which is set to flourish at this year’s event, is the Food & Beverage/Hotel & Catering sector, which will provide companies outside the industry the opportunity to open up their products to the cruise and ferry market. As on previous occasions, the exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive conference programme, to discuss trends and developments across all three sectors. Using a combination of plenary sessions and newly designed interactive workshops, this year's conference sessions will include topics on the hotel and catering side of cruises along with a workshop on shipboard entertainment. The industrial flushing technology specialist, Hobart, will exhibit its solutions for the first time.
Another highlight will be the inaugural presentation of the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards, which will be presented at the Schmidt’s Tivoli Theatre on Tuesday 25 September. Awards will be given out in the following categories: Port and/or Destination of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Environmental Initiative of the Year, Innovation in Food & Beverage/Hotel Operations, Sea-going Employee of the Year and Seatrade European Cruise Personality of the Year. Combine this with the Cruise Agent Training Forum, a free intensive two-day training programme for the travel agent community, makes Seatrade Europe 2007 a highlight in the cruise, ferry and rivercruise calendar.
Seatrade Europe 2007 – Cruise, Ferry and Rivercruise Convention takes place between 25 to 27 September at CCH - Congress Center Hamburg. The venue is open on 25 and 26 September from 1000 to 1800 and on 27 September from 1000 to 1400.
Note to editors:
Images of the conference and exhibition at Seatrade Europe 2003 and 2005, along with downloadable versions of the Seatrade Europe and Hamburg Messe und Congress logo’s are available at www.seatrade-europe.com
Press contact (international):
Denise Turner
Seatrade
Tel: +44 1206 545121
Fax: +44 1206 545190
Email: dturner@seatrade-global.com
Press contact (Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
Uta Westermann
Hamburg Messe und Congress
Tel: +49 40 3569 2444
Fax: +49 40 3569 2180
Email: uta.westermann@hamburg-messe.de
OR
Annette Krüger
Bonum
Tel: +49 69 7963 80
Fax: +49 69 7963 88
Email: krueger@bonum.net