The general assembly hosted by Ege Port Kuşadası, part of Global Ports Holding, the world's largest cruise port operator, will also be attended by senior executives from cruise ship companies and agencies.
Global Ports Holding CEO Emre Sayın said, “Cruise tourism in Turkey has entered an upward trend again. By hosting the 54th MedCruise General Assembly, we will offer industry players the opportunity to see Turkey's rise firsthand and hear about it directly from the source.” Sayın said that 60 percent of cruise tourists coming to Turkey entered through Kuşadası in 2018, adding, ’The Mediterranean is the world's second-largest cruise market with a 20 percent share. In 2018, a total of 13,500 ships called at ports, carrying 27 million passengers.’.
The 54th General Assembly of MedCruise (Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association), the largest organization in the global cruise port industry, will be hosted by Ege Port Kuşadası, part of Global Ports Holding, the world's largest cruise port operator, from May 7 to 10. MedCruise represents 120 ports in the Mediterranean Basin with members from 31 countries. Ports from the Black Sea, Red Sea, and Near Atlantic are also included among the members due to their direct interaction with the Mediterranean cruise market. Senior executives from cruise ship companies and agencies will also attend the General Assembly.
27 million passengers in 2018
Global Ports Holding CEO Emre Sayın highlighted the importance of all industry players coming together in Turkey, stating, “The Mediterranean is the world's second-largest cruise market, accounting for 20% of the global market. In 2018, a total of 13,500 ships called at ports, carrying 27 million passengers.’ Noting that Kuşadası is a key port of call not only for Turkey but also for Eastern Mediterranean cruise tourism due to the ancient city of Ephesus, Sayın added:
They will witness the rise firsthand
“Cruise tourism in Turkey has entered a new growth phase. Since ship connections are made approximately two years in advance, we expect this growth to peak around 2021-2022. In 2018, 60% of cruise tourists arriving in Turkey entered via Kuşadası. Together with our Antalya and Bodrum ports, Global Ports Holding accommodated 72% of the total passengers. By hosting the 54th MedCruise General Assembly, we will offer industry players the opportunity to see Turkey's rise firsthand and hear about it directly from the source.’
Kuşadası, the shining starAziz Güngör, General Manager of Ege Port Kuşadası, stated that they had convinced MedCruise members to hold the general assembly in Kuşadası at last year's meeting in Madrid, adding that they would be delighted to host industry representatives. Güngör, who stated that cruise ship voyages are on the rise in the Eastern Mediterranean, said, “Kuşadası will be the shining star of the Eastern Mediterranean. We expect approximately 200,000 tourists to arrive on 195 cruise ships in 2019 alone.”.
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