The Seatrade Med 2010
The Seatrade exhibition puts in at Cannes
For the first time in France, the Seatrade Med Cruise International Exhibition took place from November 30 to December 2, 2010 at the Palais des Festivals. This world event of the cruise industry gathered 160 exhibitors from some 60 countries: equipment manufacturers, shipbuilders, ports (mainly the Mediterranean), chandlers, shipping agents, cruise lines, tour operators and travel agencies, who have received 4000 professional visitors.
The coming in Cannes of Seatrade Med is due to the initiative of the French Riviera Cruise Club which has known how to appeal to the organizers of the exhibition. This organization was founded by the Tourist Board, CCI Nice Côte d'Azur, Offices of Tourism and Congress in Cannes, Nice and Villefranche sur Mer to promote the Côte d'Azur outstanding tourism assets.
The inauguration of the Exhibition began with a speech by M. Frederick Lefèbre, Secretary of State for Tourism, broadcasted on the Medcruise booth, the association of Mediterranean ports, in the presence of M. Bernard Brochant, Mayor of Cannes and M. Dominique Esteve, President of CCI Nice Cote D'Azur, M. Alain Gumiel, Chairman of the FRCC and representatives of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Region. After the Minister has stressed the importance that welcoming cruise ships to our shores is gaining, M. Chris Hayman, President of Seatrade, said: "The Mediterranean has become the second favorite destination after the Caribbean. The pleasure to bring the Seatrade Med in Cannes is a way to recognize the economic growth of the cruise industry in France, with its strengths in technology and construction of boats, the length of its coastline and its incomparable variety of excursions".
A rich program was proposed to the participants: conferences and workshops on new developments in the cruise and catering industry, musical evenings at the Opera de Nice and a Fashion and French Gastronomy Evening at the Galeries Lafayette in Cannes.
The cruise clientele is constantly growing and destinations of the Riviera can boost tourism in the region during the low season. Moreover, if in 10 years the number of cruise passengers has doubled in France, it was multiplied by 3.4 on the Cote d'Azur. According to M. Chris Hayman, destinations of the Riviera have a good overall reputation: cities like Cannes, Golfe Juan, Nice and Villefranche sur Mer are exceptional sites, so well known internationally that passengers must visit them once in their life.
The City of Cannes understands these economic issues and has launched numerous initiatives to provide tourist facilities worthy of the name and defend the interests of tradesmen in Cannes. The scheduled redevelopment of the port of Cannes as the renovation of the Quai Saint Pierre contribute to make the call even more attractive for cruise ships. Some better adapted infrastructures and the development of the accommodation and leisure offered by the City are an invitation to explore Cannes and its region.
In 2012, the Seatrade Med will drop anchor in Marseilles.
View the Seatrade Med slideshow >>
