SeatradeCruiseMed was held on the 11th and 12th of September, 2024 at the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Málaga, Spain with the support of MedCruise, The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss the latest trends and strategies in the Mediterranean cruise market.
Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region participated in the session “What Does a Sustainable Destination Look Like in Practice?” along with colleagues:
- Laura Cimaglia, Board of Directors ‘Port & City Relationships’ & Director of General and International Affairs at MedCruise & Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea
- Nikolaos Gkoflinopoulos, Director of Tourism at ICF
- Marika Mazzi Boem, CEO at X23 The Innovation Bakery
- Heino Nau, Coordinator, International Blue Economy at European Commission
Shannon McKee, Founder & President at Access Cruise, Inc. was the moderator of the panel.
The session provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable tourism principles, covering the environmental, social, and economic aspects that must be considered in destination management. Insights were drawn from the European Commission’s ‘Good Practices for Sustainable Cruise Tourism’ Report, which served as a foundational reference throughout the discussion. The session also emphasized the significance of social integration and community involvement in tourism development as key factors for achieving sustainable outcomes.
Furthermore, the speakers highlighted the importance of collaborative strategies among all stakeholders, which are essential for the effective development and implementation of sustainable destination strategies. These efforts were underscored as vital for promoting long-term environmental stewardship and ensuring that communities benefit from tourism initiatives.
“Participating in SeatradeCruiseMed 2024 was a truly inspiring experience. Representing GSTC in a panel that explored what a sustainable destination looks like in practice allowed us to highlight the critical work we’re doing in partnership with key industry leaders like MedCruise, CLIA, and others. Together, we’ve developed and implemented destination assessments that go beyond tourism guidance—they create long-term, tangible benefits for local communities. Destinations like Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Heraklion are clear examples of this success, showcasing how sustainability can enhance both environmental stewardship and socio-economic resilience. One of our key priorities is elevating the knowledge and capacity of local stakeholders through training and awareness programs, ensuring that sustainable tourism practices are fully integrated into the cruise destinations. We emphasize the importance of certifying the local supply chain, a critical aspect that ensures the broader ecosystem supports sustainability. Strengthening Destination Management Organizations is essential to crafting innovative, sustainable product offerings that align with the unique needs of cruise destinations. At the same time, we focus on reinforcing public-private partnerships (PPPs) and empowering local entrepreneurs, ensuring that the primary production sectors are integrated seamlessly into the tourism value chain. Our ongoing collaboration with cruise lines to promote onshore tour operator sustainability certifications further demonstrates our comprehensive approach to ensuring that cruise tourism evolves in harmony with the environmental, social, and economic fabric of the communities it touches. It’s essential that we continue advancing these sustainable solutions to preserve the integrity of our destinations while enriching the visitor experience for future generations,” says Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region.
The event underscored the critical role of collaboration and innovation in the cruise industry, offering participants valuable insights to enhance and sustain Mediterranean destinations.
