Seatrade Europe hails cruise business boom
With many new jobs created, growing economic output, record passenger numbers and lots of new ships on order, the European cruise industry has been enjoying impressive growth. There appears to be no end to the trend either: “The boom continues across the European cruise business. Seatrade Europe was an impressive proof," says Bernd Aufderheide, CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) and host of Seatrade Europe. Europe's leading trade fair of the cruise ship industry ended Thursday, having been attended by more than 4,000 visitors, the event organizer said in a press release.
"Once again Seatrade Europe succeeded in bringing together the industry's top representatives in Hamburg. This event provides an ideal platform for networking and attracting new business," says Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises. Tom Fecke, General Manager at Royal Caribbean Cruises for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is thrilled: "Seatrade Europe is the gathering place of the industry where you can find lots of fantastic exhibitors and have great conversations."
Mark Robinson, Managing Director of Intercruises, confirms: "This event in Hamburg is extremely well organised. The ambience is perfect, as well. Nowadays there is a new cruise industry fair everywhere you turn, but Seatrade Europe continues to be the top event, simply because you don't get this colourful mix of exhibitors anywhere else."
The optimism pervasive throughout the industry was palpable during the three-day fair in Hamburg. More than 250 exhibitors from 50 different nations showcased themselves and their most recent innovations to a broad industry audience. From shipbuilders to tour organisers and from interior outfitters to entertainment specialists, all relevant segments of the cruise value chain were represented at Seatrade Europe. Says HMC CEO Bernd Aufderheide: "Seatrade Europe is a perfect fit for the portfolio of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH. Along with SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair, and hanseboot, the Hamburg international boat show, we are extremely well positioned in the maritime segment."
Industry trends
There was no doubt where the journey was headed: The most remote destinations, the most exciting pastimes, the most comfortable accommodations are the industry's answers to a clientele that is becoming ever more demanding. "New developments that were clearly reflected at the fair included sustainable growth, safe forms of passing your holidays, and an increasing diversity of on-board activities," says Royal Caribbean's Germany manager Fecke.
Newcomers’ Pavilion and shared exhibition booths
The Newcomers' Pavilion, providing new market players with an opportunity to introduce themselves to the industry, has become a mainstay of the fair. Participants were more than satisfied with the concept and implementation of this exclusive exhibition zone. The same goes for the numerous shared exhibition booths. One of the most spectacular ones was the "Caribbean Village" set-up jointly by 15 destinations in the Caribbean. "We have been exhibiting at Seatrade Europe since 2005. Being present at this show is an absolute must for us. It is here where we meet the most influential decision-makers in the European market and where we can showcase our region most advantageously," says Julie-Anne Burrows, co-ordinator of the Caribbean Village. The participants of the shared booth of the German cruise ports, called "Destination Germany", agree that this concept is a great idea: "Our close cooperation enhances our visibility. The response from the audience was tremendous," says Andrea Kajumke-Weber, Commercial Director of Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven GmbH.
Distinguished speakers, hand-picked programme
The elaborate special events programme of Seatrade Europe met with enthusiastic praise. The gmec Cruise conference focused on sustainability and maritime environmental protection topics. Among the top-flight speakers was Monika Griefahn, Chief Sustainability Officer of the German market leader, AIDA Cruises. "Sustainability is receiving growing attention in the central European market. In Germany in particular, there is a trend in cruise shipping towards adopting the high level of sustainability people are accustomed to from their homes. As a platform for sharing views and concepts, Seatrade Europe helps set benchmarks and develop solutions," says the former head of Greenpeace.
Helge H. Grammerstorf, National Director of CLIA Germany and Managing Director of SeaConsult HAM GmbH, was a member of the "Europe’s River Cruise Industry" discussion panel. He says the general interest in sharing knowledge and views within the industry was especially strong this year. He is optimistic: "The cruise industry is doing extremely well and growth is stable. The large number of newbuilding projects proves it. We are facing a bright future." The German market serves as a role model in this respect. "Germany is going to see an unprecedented cruise industry boom over the next decade," says Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of the industry association CLIA Europe, during the opening event titled "State of the industry in Europe".
"I encourage everybody to attend the conferences because they deliver competitive advantage," says Arno Ahrens, Key Account Manager at Steripower. Jointly with seven other companies, Ahrens presented the shared booth "Cruise Industry Regular Table" which was mainly dedicated to the Food & Beverage segment. When attending the conference "F&B and Hotel: Procurement and Supply in Europe" Ahrens learned about a new hygiene regulation to come into effect in 2014 which will require food labels to declare allergens, among other things. "Based on this knowledge we will be able to respond and adapt our products accordingly", he says.
Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards 2013
The presentation of the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards 2013 was another highlight of the fair programme. Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of MSC Cruises, received the "Person of the Year" award. Other award winners included:
Destination of the Year: Cruise Copenhagen Network
Port of the Year: Port Everglades
Environmental Initiative of the Year: Green Tech Marine
Supplier of the year: INTERSCHALT Maritime Systems
Most Innovative Land Excursion of the Year: A&K/Akorn
Looking ahead to Seatrade Europe 2015
Hamburg is the ideal venue for a cruise industry fair: With 177 cruise ship calls expected in 2013, the time-honoured port city was the most frequented German cruise port for passengers boarding and leaving ship, and the top-ranking cruise port in Germany. In 2015 the northern German metropolis will once again be the hub of the international cruising industry when the fifth Seatrade Europe fair will be open to the international industry audience at the Hamburg Messe fair site from 9 to 11 September. In addition, the Hamburg Cruise Days will be held from 11 to 13 September featuring an exciting special events programme. "With these two cruise industry mega events coinciding, Hamburg will again be the biggest stage for the cruise industry," says HMC CEO Bernd Aufderheide.
About Seatrade Europe
Seatrade Europe, the leading trade event of the European cruise and rivercruise industry, is held at Hamburg, Germany's famous seaport on the Elbe river. Industry decision-makers and professionals will meet to exchange ideas, set new trends and expand their business networks. Exhibitors include shipyards, ship chandlers, food and beverage suppliers, classification societies, cruise ports and shipbrokers, among others. From small-scale on-board hospitals to huge restaurant kitchens, from waste disposal to entertainment equipment, operations on board a cruise ship are highly complex, requiring perfect logistics. At the two-day conference held in parallel with the exhibition, high-level experts will discuss current industry topics. The next Seatrade Europe fair will take place from 9 to 11 September 2015.
For further information on Seatrade Europe please visit: www.seatrade-europe.com