Page 28 - IAADFS Summit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

Sexy and Sustainable:
The cruise industry looks ahead with optimism and responsibility

Seatrade Cruise Global, the major volumes could reach as high as 33 million Sustainability and the search for net-
cruise tradeshow in the world, wrapped up passengers this year and an “incredible” 39 zero
its March 2023 edition on a decidedly up million by 2026, said Vago. Faced with growing environmental
note. Bringing together more than 9,500 In another positive development, there and climate issues, the cruise industry has
cruise industry attendees, eighty cruise is more interest in cruising now than there set a goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
lines, 1,800+ cruise line representatives, was before the pandemic, he said, with as To do so will require “3 Ps” said Vago,
five hundred exhibitors, and representatives many as 85% of those who have cruised “Passion, Purpose and Perseverance.”
from over 121 countries/ destinations, the saying they plan to cruise again. This is up “These are the 3Ps that will give the
show was a success on every level and significantly from 80% in 2019. cruise industry the opportunity to position
reflects the booming recovery underway in ourselves as a leader in meeting the climate
the cruise sector. ARC = a bright future challenge, and achieving net zero,” he
This year’s event, which moved from In her opening remarks, Kelly noted.
Miami to the Greater Fort-Lauderdale Craighead noted that the cruise industry has Vago spoke about shore side power
Broward Convention Center due to a a great story to tell. –“ports are behind where they need to be”
scheduling conflict with Miami’s Formula “We offer ‘A accessibility - catering to with only 2% currently offering the plug-in
One Grand Prix race, also debuted a new a range of prices and age groups. We offer option – and that all new builds will use
event that has interesting potential for ‘R’ responsible, managed tourism, taking cleaner LNG fuel. But even as 60% of the
some travel retail beverage brands, called care of the land, the sea and the water. And cruise ships set to debut between 2023 and
F&B@Sea. The initial effort has been so ‘E’, cruising is experiential. More than 2028 will use LNG as their primary fuel,
well received that the show organizers have 60% of cruisers return to a destination for a this is not enough to achieve net zero, he
announced that it will hold an expanded longer visit,” she confirmed. warns. Industry innovations will be able
food & beverage showcase next year. (see The cruise industry will see 14 new to account for as much as 70% in reduced
related story) ships this year with 62 new ships by emissions, but that final 30% will come
2028, and even as the intention to cruise down to developing new cleaner fuels.
Cruise tourism surging is growing, Craighead warned that the According to CLIA, 75% of its
Speaking before a full house on industry is facing some real environmental member lines’ ships are being designed to
Tuesday morning at the industry keynote, and regulatory challenges. adapt to using sustainable fuel when it’s
Cruise Lines International Association In an effort to demonstrate how available.
Global Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and beneficial cruising is to local tourism, “Cruising is leading every industry
President/CEO Kelly Craighead presented CLIA has prepared an interactive tool in responsible travel but we need to
a very optimistic forecast for the future of kit now available in Europe, which communicate this better,” he warns.
cruising. shows the importance of cruising to local “And we must correct community
Here are some of the key takeaways economies, and the industry’s respect for misconceptions and correct old, outdated
from the opening session. the environment. data. We must make governments
Cruise tourism is rebounding faster “Cruise lines are proactively working understand the cruise industry.”
than international tourism, with the global with their partners to provide solutions,” “We are emerging stronger that we
passenger count forecast to reach 106% she noted. were before the pandemic, but we must
of 2019 levels in 2023, or 31.5 million, “Cruising is sexy and sustainable, emerge united and face the future as a real
according to Cruise Lines International and offers something for everyone,” she industry.”
Association. CLIA estimates that cruise concluded.

CLIA Global Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago CLIA President/CEO Kelly Craighead

Summit of the Americas April 2023 28

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