Seatrade Latin America Cruise Convention Ends in Valparaiso

Chilean officials, led by Felix de Vicente Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, joined senior cruise line executives, port and destination leaders, tour operators, travel agents and suppliers for a robust Seatrade Latin America Cruise Convention in Valparaiso, Chile.

The two-day Seatrade Latin America event concluded on May 15 after drawing tourism, transport and port officials from across the region, more than 200 delegates from 15 countries and nearly 100 travel agents for specialized cruise sales training.

Conference sessions addressed wide-ranging issues and opportunities including cabotage, new itineraries, operating costs, infrastructure, product development, excursions, service and quality, the emerging expedition cruise sector and Latin America as a source market for cruising.

Chile's Transport Undersecretary Gloria Hutt said her country is working to ensure it has adequate infrastructure to grow tourism, including good port facilities to support the cruise business, more capacity, better services and connectivity and greater efficiency.

Chile's tourism growth is outpacing the region, according to Sernatur Director Daniel Pardo, who outlined a concrete, long-term national strategy to foster that growth including a sustainability program and new destinations and products that benefit the cruise sector. Pardo added that Chile wants to foster a year-round cruise business and is committed to developing new North Pacific and South Pacific routes.

Senior cruise officials from Carnival Corp. & plc, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Hurtigruten, Un-Cruise Adventures, Ecoventura, Lindblad Expeditions and Cruceros Australis, among others, participated in Seatrade Latin America as speakers and delegates.

On behalf of Seatrade, acclaimed sales training expert Scott Koepf, vice president of sales for Avoya Travel, one of North America's largest cruise retailers, led Cruise Day Training educational sessions for regional travel agents.

Apart from conference sessions and an exhibition, Seatrade Latin America featured ample networking opportunities and a lively social program, including varied music and dance performances highlighting different regions of Chile.

Traditional culinary specialties and the country's famous wines were served throughout. A Gala Dinner on May 14 took all delegates to the Valparaiso Sporting Club in Vina del Mar where an exciting horse race kicked off the evening followed by dining, live music and wine tasting.