Over 550 delegates and speakers signed up for the conference from 58 countries whilst 160 companies exhibited in a purpose built superstructure located in front of the Maritime Station. At 3,000sq mtr this represented a 25% growth compared to the last event in Genoa in 2004. In total nearly 4,000 people participated in the event.
Throughout the three-day event 15 cruiseships visited Naples whilst the constant flow of ferry traffic in and out of the port really brought home to attendees what this business is all about.
The inaugural European Cruise Fair (ECF) took place alongside Seatrade Med, bringing some 130+ travel agents from around the globe to take part in an intensive two-day programme learning and participating in sessions that included sales skills, cruising trends and developments and sampling the product first-hand on ship visits.
Agents had the opportunity to go on-board NCL’s Norwegian Jewel, RCI’s Voyager of the Seas and Silverseas’ Silver Wind, whilst MSC Cruises hosted 800 participants for a gala evening on-board Rhapsody.