FCCA Conference Boosts Island Tourism Efforts |
Hundreds of leaders convened on St. Lucia to grow the regional cruise
market.
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Caribbean and
Latin American leaders, including Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez,
committed to strengthening cruise tourism efforts throughout the region as
nearly 1,000 industry experts from around the world convened in St. Lucia
for the 16th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference & Trade
Show.
"In times of economic downturn, those that remain aggressively in the
forefront of the marketplace are those who are best positioned to prosper
as our economy recovers," FCCA President Michele Paige told delegates.
The record turnout in challenging economic times underscores the need
for regional partnerships, Paige said. "Now, more than ever, we have to
work together to get ahead."
Delegates from 42 Caribbean and Latin American destinations attended
the event. Participants also came from as far away as Spain and Dubai.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez made a special appearance to
confer with cruise line executives. Also at the conference were port
officials, tour operators, tourism agencies and suppliers, and
approximately 100 cruise executives from among the association's 15 member
lines.
Delegates attended standing-room-only workshops led by member-line
executives and expert guest speakers. Topics covered marketing strategies
in the recession; keeping up with trends, and developing innovative tour
operations. They also sat in on private meetings with cruise executives to
present tourism products, analyze industry trends and discuss developing
issues.
In addition, more than 75 players raised funds at St. Lucia Golf Club
for the FCCA Foundation at the conference's annual golf tournament, which
was sponsored by Rak Porcelain.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association is composed of 15 Member
Lines: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity
Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland
America Line, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line, Ocean Village,
P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Seabourn
Cruise Line. It was created in 1972 by cruise lines operating more than 100
vessels in Florida, Caribbean and Latin American waters to foster
legislation, tourism development, and cooperation on ports, safety,
security and other cruise industry issues.
SOURCE Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
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CONTACT:
Michele M. Paige of Florida-Caribbean Cruise
Association, +1-954-441-8881
