FCCA’S CARIBBEAN CRUISE CONFERENCE:
A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS
October 15, 2001
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
(FCCA) Member Lines recently concluded their most successful Conference
to date- the 8th annual Caribbean Cruise Conference & Trade Show in
Aruba, October 2-5, 2001. This year’s Conference attracted over 900
delegates, cruise executives, and government representatives throughout
the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
Highlights of the Conference included the Trade Show Grand Opening, on
Tuesday, October 2nd at the Radisson Resort and Casino, with booth space
being sold-out. The “Barefoot Elegance Welcome” beach party
concluded the festivities for the evening.
The Conference received numerous accolades such as, “This
was my first FCCA Conference, I’m no stranger to conferences and
trade shows, but I found this one to be very well organized, facilitated
by knowledgeable, and personable people,” explained Brian Brown,
Sales Manager, Coral Cliff Hotel & Entertainment Resort – Jamaica.
“I would like to congratulate the FCCA on staging such a wonderful
conference. It was one of the best I have attended. If I had to describe
it I would say, I felt like part off one big family. Everyone working
together in times of adversity to keep this great industry alive and well.
I was particularly touched by the number of suppliers from throughout
the region and executives from within the industry who attended as a show
of support. This togetherness will ensure the long term viability of Cruise
Tourism,” stated Matthew Beaubrum, Managing Director, Cox and Company
Ltd. – St. Lucia. “My impression of the 8th annual FCCA Conference
held in Aruba is that in spite of the events of September 11, 2001, the
cruise lines continues to demonstrate its’ commitment to the Caribbean
Region and the reciprocal commitment was clearly demonstrated by the Caribbean
partners,” stated Lee Bailey, Chairman, Caribbean Cruise Shipping
& Tours Ltd -Jamaica.
On Wednesday, October 3rd delegates flocked to the Conference
Grand Opening Ceremony to listen to Micky Arison, Chairman & CEO,
Carnival Corporation and FCCA’s Chairman give the State of the Industry
Address. “My congratulation goes to Micky Arison, who found time
to participate and be present at every activity,” stated Lee Bailey,
Caribbean Cruise Shipping & Tours Ltd -Jamaica. During the Conference
opening ceremony, Micky delivered the keynote address in which he summarize
that the events of September 11, have had a significant impact on tourism
around the world. He expressed that during these times we need to have
patience and understanding. “Better times are ahead for all of us
and we look forward to being with you this week and answering any questions
you may have to improve the situation for our industry and your tourism
sector as well. We thank you for coming and showing your support for our
industry by being here under these times, it is especially appreciated.”
The Honorable Dr. Lili Beke-Martinez, Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism
Social Affairs and Culture gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the government
and people of Aruba. That evening delegates and guest were ferried to
De Palm Island for the exciting Aruba Night Extravaganza.
Throughout the 11-roundtable workshops, delegates were
able to meet with key marketing, purchasing and operations executives
from FCCA’s 11 Member Lines. In the standing room only marketing
workshops, a brief synopsis of the just released Cruise Industry’s
Economic Impact on the Caribbean prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers was
introduced. At the “Converting Cruise Passengers to Land-Based Vacationers”
workshop it was underlined that 52% of all passengers surveyed were very
likely to return to the islands visited while on a cruise for a land-based
vacation. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Director General, Bahamas Ministry
of Tourism gave an outstanding presentation focusing on topics that included:
creating partnerships between hotelers and the cruise industry and destination
product development. Renee Wallach, Manager, Camp Carnival, Carnival Cruise
Lines presented informative ideas and suggestions on ways to incorporate
families in marketing planning at the “Family: Marketing & Trends”
workshop.
During the shore excursion workshops, “Keeping up
with Mega Ships”, discussions covered the preparations being made
by the destinations to compensate for the larger number of cruise passengers
disembarking from mega ships. Robert Velasquez, Managing Director, St.
Maarten Tender Services, briefed the audience that the dispatch of tender
services provided in St. Maarten helped St. Maarten grow; while Milton
Henriquez, Director, Aruba Ports Authority, shared information on the
enhanced port facilities including additional personnel to handle the
increase in passenger traffic. Richard McCombe, Managing Director, Jacharic
Holdings Ltd, elaborated on the expanded tours being offered through Jacharic
Holdings in Nassau, Bahamas. Bill Fletcher, President, Great Guides Development
Company Alaska, presented the steps to become a tour operator for the
cruise lines in the “Framework for New Tour Operators” workshop,
outlining ways to succeed in the business of being a tour operator serving
the cruise line market, understanding the basics of the cruise industry
and finding your niche in the market. Other members of the panel also
shared their experiences in breaking into the cruise industry.
At the purchasing workshop “ A Success Story, The
Do’s and the Don’ts” Randolph Hamilton, Senior Tourism/Sports
Marketing Manager, St. Kitts, reviewed the efforts of the government of
St. Kitts to develop the cruise industry as the alternative market for
tomatoes that are grown on the island, demonstrating the progress that
has been made to date with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. regular purchases
of tomatoes (Based on Royal Caribbean’s experience, Norwegian Cruise
Line has now committed to purchasing tomatoes from St. Kitts). The “Purchasing
in the 21st Century – Meet the Executives,” workshop moderated
by Alvin Dennis, VP Purchasing and Logistics at Norwegian Cruise Lines
provided a unique opportunity for the attendees to poise questions to
the various cruise executives at an open forum where questions were directed
to each panelist on how their respective cruise lines deal with suppliers.
It also addressed issues such as packaging, storage and other requirements
of the Member Lines. Cruise executives as well as delegates were able
to take back with them many suggestions and ideas brought forth during
the various workshops presented at the Conference.
This years workshops proved successful as delegates expressed
their rave reviews, such as “The workshops provided an intimate atmosphere
for an exchange of ideas and solutions in the field of service and tourism.
Talking to the cruise executives provided insight, and encouragement for
the days ahead as we try and accommodate a world population of anxious
travelers,” said Edmund Sords, VP Marketing & Public Relations,
Accessible Adventures - St. Thomas. Brian Brown, Coral Cliff Resort –
Jamaica gives his feedback on the benefits he received from this workshop.
“I received a clear view as to how to go about fine-tuning my product
- based on what the cruise lines provide and thus expect from a shore-based
excursion/party stop, and the real deal about getting in on the formal
tours/excursions and special events markets - the prep work required,
the realistic time frames and creative ideas such as marrying excursions,
etc. All in all, I came away from the workshops with a vivid game plan
for my resort.”
As the Conference wrapped up on Thursday, October 4th
delegates were once again invited to joined industry partners for an exclusive
Conference Closing Party at Carlos ‘N Charlie’s. The evening
was filled with constant entertainment and excitement, as the staff at
Carlos ‘N Charlie’s included partygoers in various competitions
throughout the night. “The Conference was well planned and the social
events allowed unprecedented opportunities to network with our peers and
the cruise line executives, said Jill McCall, Regional Sales Manager,
Atlantis Adventures.
“This is a special time that underlines the need
for partners to work together harder than ever-the FCCA Conference in
Aruba embodied such solidarity that will carry us all to success. See
you for the ninth annual FCCA Caribbean Cruise Conference and Trade Show
in Mexico, September 24-27, 2002, ” stated Michele M. Paige, President,
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
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