FITUR Cruises 2024 unveils its full programme with 14 presentations and activities over the weekend

FITUR Cruises, the section dedicated to the cruise sector, is returning from 24 to 28 January 2024 and will be converting Hall 4 of IFEMA MADRID into the epicentre of the so-called "blue tourism" with a full programme of presentations by the industry's main players as well as a whole host of activities.

The space will include Cruise Market, an open area that simulates the deck of a ship and where cruise lines, institutions, ports and agencies will be represented on different stands, and Cruise Campus, the area where the different presentations and talks on marketing, communication and travel experiences will be taking place. Over the five days of the 44th edition of FITUR, this section will become the maritime enclave of reference where industry professionals and the general public can enjoy networking sessions, practical talks and dynamic events for all ages with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of this holiday offer and fostering business opportunities.

Full programme of FITUR Cruises 2024

Wednesday 24 January

11:15 Welcome

Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto

11:30 'Experiences of cruise passengers: from expectation to reality'

Frank Babinger, professor at the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism of the Complutense University of Madrid, will be giving a talk on understanding the expectations of cruising versus the reality.

12:00 'Ceuta, gateway to Europe: where emotions converge'.

Carlota Gómez, technician in charge of Cruises/Ceuta Tourism Guide, and Lorena Carmona Rodríguez, assistant director, reveal the factors that make a stopover in Ceuta so appealing.

12:35 'Discover Costa Cruises and Live Your Wonder!

Jorge Serrano, Commercial Director for Spain and Portugal of Costa Cruises, presents the main aspects of the company's commercial product, the details of the new concept of Sea Destinations itineraries and the Live Your Wonder! communication plan.

14:00 Costa's Spanish flavour: the best on-board entertainment

Comedian Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, known as "El Sevilla", invites the audience to a taste of the entertainment on-board Costa Cruises.

Thursday 25 January

11:00 'Profile of the cruiser and what they are looking for in 2024'.

Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto, reviews the evolution of the cruise industry over the last decade.

11:35 'Record-breaking figures in cruises: this is how the Spanish ports are experiencing it'.

Jaime Luezas, head of the Community Services Area of Puertos del Estado, analyses the industry from an institutional perspective, offers the main figures and proposes approaches to the challenges it faces.

12:10 'Sailing into the future: trends in the cruise industry'.

Rubén Olmos, president and CEO of Global Nexus, analyses the latest statistics and trends in the global cruise industry with an emphasis on sustainability, new technologies and fleet and competitiveness against other segments.

12:45 'Cruise Tourism: present and future'.

Sandra Carvão, chief of Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the World Tourism Organization, gives a preview of the essential keys to the development and future of cruises and best practices of its actors and destinations.

13:20 'Destination Andalusia: an action plan for further growth in 2024

Rafael Carmona Ruiz, President of Suncruise Andalucía | Port Authority of Seville, presents his plan to position Andalusia, the only region bordering the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, as a "cruise destination in its own right".

13:45 Networking. Suncruise Andalucía

16:00 Cruceroadicto Awards 2023

Best ship, best cruise line and best port of 2023, in different subcategories, in the only awards voted 100% by the Spanish-speaking travel community.

17:00 Networking. Cruceroadicto and Cafés La Mexicana

After the Cruceroadicto 2023 Awards, winners, finalists and guests can enjoy a relaxed get-together sponsored by Cafés La Mexicana, a Madrid reference in the world of coffee.

Friday, 26 January

11:15 Welcome

Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto

11:25 Fun on the cruise ships: how not to die in the attempt

Santiago Méndez de la Cuesta, Director of Business Development & Cruises at AVORIS TRAVEL, reveals in this presentation how to analyse the future client and adjust the multitude of experiential options that exist to offer the perfect holiday product.

12:00 'A walk through magic'.

Irma Vidal, Iberia Head of Sales for Disney Destinations Spain and Portugal, unveils the new features of its three destinations: Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.

12:35 ‘Discovering the Best of Greece and Turkey by Cruise’

Osman Erler, General Manager of Miray Cruises, gives the keys to its offer for the Aegean Sea.

Saturday, 27 January

10:45 Welcome

Jesús García, founder and editor-in-chief of Cruceroadicto

11:35 'Discover Costa Cruises and Live Your Wonder!

Jéssica Delgado, head of the Product Training Department, presents the main aspects of Costa Cruises' commercial product, the details of the new Sea Destinations itinerary concept and the communication plan for Live Your Wonder!

12:15 Introduction, rules and registration Cruise Scavenger Hunt

Registration: https://cruceroadicto.com/cruise-scavenger-hunt.html

15:00 Cruise Scavenger Hunt passport verification

16:00 'Cruises without borders: a transformative experience'.

Gerardo Vangioni, CEO of Mercy Ships Spain, presents the NGO's initiative and the activity of its hospital ships and volunteers.

16:35 'Why choose when you can have it all?'

Luis Oriol Wangüemert, Key Account Manager North, East and Balearic Islands Area of Baluma Cruises, presents the keys for the traveller to have everything on board its fleet.

17:15 Coffee & Cruises:

Big meet-up of cruise lovers

18:15 Prize draw for the Cruise Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, 28 January

10:30 Coffee & Cruises

Big meet-up of cruise lovers