Yesterday afternoon, at the Ministry of Tourism, Minister Daniela Santanchè met with the main associations of the cruise sector.
The meeting led to the establishment of a technical table dedicated to the enhancement and integrated promotion of the territories touched by cruise itineraries, with the aim of improving the management of tourist flows on land and strengthening the attractiveness of the places visited, with particular attention to the quality of the tourist experience.
“We believe that the cruise sector represents an important opportunity for growth and development for Italy: just think, for example, that tourism linked to cruises contributes over 14 billion euros and 100 thousand jobs to the Italian economy – stated Minister Santanchè –. In this framework, the collaboration between institutions, cruise companies, port authorities and local communities will be fundamental to guarantee sustainable and responsible tourism, capable of bringing structural benefits to both visitors and host communities”.
“In a context where some countries are blocking cruise flows, Italy wants to find the key to management and dialogue with the territories – added the Minister –. The sea for Italy is an important resource, which is why the cruise sector is extremely valuable. A sector that does not bring problems, but opportunities to increase our tourism and our economy. We must therefore work on the narrative and promote the promotion of itineraries, terminals, promotion and overall experience to define an offer in line with expectations”.
“The table – concluded Santanchè – will be a platform for discussion and dialogue, sharing of ideas, good practices, in the full spirit of synergistic public-private partnership that can create widespread and transversal well-being”.
In a separate note, Assiterminal expressed appreciation for the meeting.
“We thank Minister Santanchè – declares the President of Assiterminal, Tomaso Cognolato – because it is the first time that the Ministry of Tourism formally recognizes the strategic value of the cruise sector as a whole, convening all the components of the supply chain. It is an important result, which also comes thanks to the requests and arguments put forward by Assiterminal in recent months to strengthen the dialogue between terminals, companies, institutions and territories.”
For the Association, the establishment of the Technical Table for the enhancement and integrated promotion of the territories touched by cruise itineraries, announced by the Minister, represents a concrete opportunity to develop a shared vision of sustainable maritime tourism, capable of generating structural benefits for local communities and improving the quality of the tourist experience.
“The cruise sector – continues Cognolato – as clearly highlighted by Minister Santanchè, is a fundamental asset for the maritime economy and for the entire national tourism system. Terminals are the first point of contact between visitors and Italian destinations: investing in their quality, integration with cities and reception capacity means enhancing the country’s image. For this reason, the work of the Table can represent a decisive step towards more coordinated governance and more effective promotion of cruise Italy.”
