First European cruise industry Innovation Expo to run next year
New event to run alongside annual Clia summit
JaneWalter
A new Innovation Expo will run alongside a Clia European Summit in Italy next year.
Both events will be part of a series of activities over March 11-14 focused on innovation, sustainability and community.
Cruise line executives, industry innovators and political leaders are to showcase the industry’s leading role in providing environmental and tourism management solutions in Genoa.
The aim is to build on summits at the same location in 2022 and Paris this year, which brought together institutional representatives and stakeholders from across the supply chain to debate key policy issues and developments.
The Clia Innovation Expo is a new forum for companies currently supplying, or interested in supplying, the cruise industry, with a focus on maritime technology and hospitality.
Clia global chair Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said: “Sustainability and innovation are the hallmarks of the cruise industry, and this week of activities will demonstrate this unequivocally.
“The entire cruise industry will send representatives, including senior executives and buyers, making this a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to engage with our industry to come and showcase their products, solutions and services.
“This is the first time that these events will take place, and Genoa, as a leading European cruise port and a centre for shipbuilding and marine technology development, is a perfect match.”
Clia Europe director-general Marie-Caroline Laurent added: “The cruise industry is at the heart of Europe. These events will highlight how Europe is leading the way in cruise shipbuilding and what this means for the European economy.
“Europe is also setting the pace for sustainability and the cruise industry is using its innovation and expertise to help to deliver on Europe’s climate ambitions.
“Collaboration is key to innovation, and we look forward to a week of debate, displays, and workshops, showcasing the best of our industry.”
