MedCruise concludes a strong presence at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas
MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, concluded its participation last week at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, following two days of meetings, networking, knowledge exchange and industry discussions bringing together the Mediterranean cruise community and the wider international cruise sector.
Seatrade Cruise Med provided an important opportunity to showcase the strength and diversity of the MedCruise network, reinforce cooperation across the sector and contribute to discussions on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of cruising.
A strong MedCruise presence on the exhibition floor
At the heart of MedCruise’s participation was its 360 m² pavilion, which brought together members from across the Association and served throughout the event as a central meeting and networking point for ports, destinations, cruise lines and industry partners.
MedCruise members were able to participate within the MedCruise space through three different formats, designed to accommodate different levels of presence and business activity during the event. Five members had their own individual booths within the wider MedCruise pavilion, while 13 members participated through dedicated tables reserved for their use throughout the event.
In addition, members without their own booth or dedicated table were able to make use of the MedCruise B2B meeting tables, booking meeting slots to hold business-to-business appointments with cruise lines and other industry stakeholders directly within the MedCruise space.
Across these different participation formats, the MedCruise booth provided a shared platform for members to promote their ports, destinations and services, develop business opportunities and strengthen relationships with key cruise industry stakeholders.
Over 100 B2B meetings were held at the MedCruise booth over the two days, reinforcing one of the Association’s core objectives at Seatrade Cruise Med: facilitating direct connections between its members and the wider cruise industry.
Economic impact in focus at the MedCruise booth
The MedCruise booth also became a platform for knowledge exchange through the 6th Working Group Meeting on Economic Impact Assessments – Expert Panel: Ports of Spain.
Presented by Lorenzo Vera Franco, Member of the MedCruise Board of Directors responsible for Economic Impact Assessments, the session featured Verónica Verdesoto Gómez from Puertos del Estado and provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the economic contribution of cruise activity and the importance of robust and comparable data in understanding its wider impact on ports and destinations.
The presentation formed part of MedCruise’s ongoing work on Economic Impact Assessments, which seeks to strengthen knowledge and provide members with useful methodologies and insights to better understand and communicate the direct, indirect and induced economic contribution generated by cruise activity.
Sharing expertise from across the MedCruise network
MedCruise’s presence extended well beyond the exhibition floor, with 19 MedCruise members and representatives contributing as speakers to the Seatrade Cruise Med conference programme.
Their participation brought expertise from across the MedCruise membership to discussions covering expedition cruising, artificial intelligence and technology, destination management, shoreside infrastructure, responsible tourism, the visitor experience and the future of Mediterranean cruising.
Among the MedCruise members and representatives participating in the conference programme were:
◉ Stephen Xuereb, Valletta Cruise Port / Global Ports Holding – Cruise Ready: An Introduction to CLIA’s New Masterclass Series for Port and Destination Leaders
◉ Lorenzo Vera Franco, Member of the MedCruise Board of Directors, responsible for Economic Impact Assessments & Commercial Unit Manager at the Port Authority of Motril – What Defines Expedition Cruising Today?
◉ Jelka Tepsic, Dubrovnik Port Authority – Smarter Destinations: Can Technology Help Manage Destination Growth?
◉ Dario Barbarić, MedCruise Director for Health, Safety & Security & Head of the Department for Security, Development and Maintenance of Port Infrastructure and Environmental Protection, Dubrovnik Port Authority – Practical AI in Ports: Cutting Through the Hype
◉ Francesca Antonelli Ibáñez, Port Authority of Valencia, and
◉ Leyla Rojas Osorio, Global Cruises – Beyond the Bucket List: The Art of Destination Storytelling
◉ Luz Marina Espiau Moreno, MedCruise Director for Digitalisation and Innovation & Commercial & Business Development Manager, Tenerife Ports, and
◉ André Velho Cabral, Portos dos Açores – The Atlantic Advantage
◉ Valeria Mangiarotti, MedCruise Director for Sustainability & Environmental Energy Policies and Marketing Manager, Port Network Authority of the Sardinian Sea – Is Shoreside Infrastructure Ready for the Next Generation of Ships?
◉ George Spirakis, Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services – Making Every Call Count: Unlocking Longer Stays & Lasting Destination Value
◉ Anja Wilde, Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services – Leave Something Behind: Responsible Shore Experiences
◉ Ioannis Bras, Five Senses Consulting and Development, and
◉ Miguel Reyna, Cruise Terminals International – The First 15 Minutes Ashore
◉ Anne-Marie Spinosi, Senior Vice President of MedCruise / Corsica Ports, and
◉ Stephen Xuereb, Valletta Cruise Port / Global Ports Holding – 30 Years On… What Will Define the Next 30 Years of Med Cruising?
Together, these contributions reflected the breadth of expertise within the MedCruise community and its active role in conversations around how ports, destinations and industry partners can respond to an evolving cruise landscape.
Connecting the Mediterranean cruise community
Throughout Seatrade Cruise Med 2026, the key message from MedCruise was one of collaboration, knowledge sharing and collective action.
From the conversations taking place at the booth and the B2B meetings between members and industry stakeholders to the contributions of MedCruise representatives across the conference programme, the event demonstrated the value of bringing together ports, destinations, cruise lines and industry partners to exchange experiences and address common priorities.
Discussions throughout the event highlighted several themes central to the future of the sector, including sustainable cruise development, stronger port-city and community relations, digitalisation and innovation, the economic value generated by cruise activity, responsible destination management and the importance of creating meaningful experiences for passengers and destinations alike.
As MedCruise marks 30 years of activity, its participation in Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 also provided an opportunity to look ahead. Three decades after its creation, the Association continues to bring together the Mediterranean and adjoining seas cruise community while adapting its work to the changing needs of ports, destinations and the wider cruise industry.
MedCruise leaves Las Palmas with renewed momentum to continue strengthening cooperation among its members, representing their interests internationally and supporting the sustainable development of cruise activities throughout the Mediterranean and adjoining seas.
About MedCruise
The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports.
The mission of MedCruise is to promote the cruise industry in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. The Association assists its members in benefiting from the growth of the cruise industry by providing networking, promotional, as well as professional development opportunities.
Established in Rome on the 11th of June 1996, by a collaborative agreement between 16 ports in seven different countries, the MedCruise membership spreads today in 22 countries and is located in three different continents, Africa, Asia and Europe. MedCruise represents 171 cruise ports and more than 67 associate members.
(MedCruise concludes a strong presence at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas)
