European Parliament Roundtable on Sustainable, Accessible, Inclusive Cruise Tourism – Supporting Local Communities and Destinations
Great discussion at the European Parliament on Sustainable, Accessible, Inclusive Cruise Tourism with Bernard Vanheule, Costa Cruises, Alessandro Carollo, Royal Caribbean Group, Marie-Caroline Laurent, CLIA Director-General in Europe, Claudia Tapardel, Moderator, Josianne Cutajar, MEP, Petar Vitanov, MEP, Elena Kountoura, MEP and Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, MEP
On 31 May, CLIA, together with four MEPs, hosted a Roundtable in the European Parliament focusing on sustainable, accessible and inclusive cruise tourism. The event brought together stakeholders from European institutions and various organisations to discuss:
- Sustainability onboard and in the ports and destinations we visit,
- Diversity
- Accessibility of cruise tourism
With thanks to MEPs Elena Kountoura, Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, Josianne Cutajar and Petar Vitanov for their important contributions to the debate. The debate also included interventions from Marie-Caroline Laurent, CLIA Director-General in Europe, Bernard Vanheule, Costa Cruises and Alessandro Carollo, Royal Caribbean Group.
There was particular interest in the finding that cruise is often the only holiday option for travellers with reduced mobility, and the ways in which cruise lines support accessible holidays – with possible learnings for the rest of travel and tourism. The efforts made by cruise lines to promote gender equality was also welcomed as well as the way the industry supports local traditions, cultures, and economies.
This roundtable illustrates that the initiatives we have highlighted today are essential and that we are a force for good. We fully contribute to European objectives like implementing the EU Green Deal or supporting the destinations we visit
Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, Europe
