Over 2,000 cruise professionals attend Seatrade Cruise Med in Las Palmas

2,000+ cruise industry professionals from 80+ countries gathered in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on September 16 and 17 for Seatrade Cruise Med, generating increased activity across the city and providing a direct boost to the local economy.

For the first time in its 30-year history, the leading international cruise trade fair was hosted inside a port facility, with the new cruise terminal at the Port of Las Palmas serving as the event venue. The biennial gathering brings together cruise lines, port authorities, tourism destinations and maritime service providers focused on the Mediterranean and its adjacent seas.

The event contributed to high hotel occupancy levels and increased visitor traffic throughout the city, particularly in the Puerto-Canteras area. Local retailers, restaurants, transport providers and other businesses also benefited from the presence of international delegates during the 2-day event.

Beatriz Calzada, President of the Las Palmas Port Authority, said the event had been well received and highlighted the opportunity to present the port's infrastructure directly to international cruise lines and tour operators. She noted that the new terminal demonstrated the operational capabilities of the port and offered increased capacity, while also providing an opportunity to showcase its position as one of Europe's largest and most efficient cruise terminals.

Calzada also pointed to the wider economic contribution generated by the event, with hospitality, catering, retail, transport and other service sectors benefiting from the arrival of international delegates. She added that participants also gained greater exposure to Gran Canaria's tourism offering, including its cuisine, culture and local community.

Emma Bond, Global Events Director at Seatrade Cruise, said the Las Palmas edition reflected the continued development of the Mediterranean cruise sector and brought together industry leaders and professionals for discussions covering cruise tourism, new itineraries and the region's role within the wider maritime industry. She also expressed appreciation to the host organisations, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees involved in the event.

The new cruise terminal was also used to demonstrate the port's capabilities to the international cruise sector. Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding, said that hosting Seatrade Cruise Med at the facility provided an opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of modern cruise infrastructure, including improved passenger facilities, additional capacity for future growth and long-term benefits for the destination.

For the Las Palmas Port Authority and Global Ports Holding, discussions during the trade fair focused on several priorities for the cruise sector. These included diversifying source markets, reducing seasonal fluctuations and increasing the presence of premium and luxury cruise products. Meetings with cruise companies provided an opportunity to discuss their operational requirements and present the Canary Islands as a destination capable of supporting these objectives.

Sustainability was another major theme of the event, alongside the future development of cruise ships and changes to international itineraries. The Port Authority and Global Ports Holding identified sustainability, innovation and closer integration between cruise operations and destinations as important elements in the continued development of the sector, with the Canary Islands seeking to maintain a leading role in these areas.

The economic contribution extended beyond the professional activities at the trade fair itself. The arrival of more than 2,000 delegates from 80+ countries increased demand across accommodation, retail, hospitality and transportation businesses in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Retailers, fashion and craft stores and shopping centres reported increased activity during the week, while restaurants, cafés and terraces accommodated both visitors and business meetings associated with the event. Taxi operators and other mobility services also experienced higher demand, particularly for transfers between hotels, the port and commercial and leisure areas.

The attendance figures underlined the international scale of the event. Seatrade Cruise Med brought together more than 2,000 participants representing 80+ countries, with 224 exhibiting companies and 220+ senior executives from leading global cruise lines attending the industry gathering.