Attendees Pour Praise for FCCA Central America Cruise Summit

Pembroke Pines, FL (May 27, 2015) - The reviews are in, and the FCCA Central America Cruise Summit is a hit. The FCCA distributed a survey to attendees, asking for feedback and input on the recent event, and received plentiful praise from local stakeholders looking to establish and increase their cruise tourism business.

Ana Delgado of Operaciones Turisticas Internacionales (OTISA) told that the "meetings were interesting and gave us opportunities...workshops gave us information that we did not know...evening events were relaxing and rewarding."

Delgado touched on all of the features of the event, which took place in San Salvador from May 13-15 and offered a unique opportunity to target representatives from FCCA's 19 Member Lines who decide where ships call, what is sold onboard and how to invest in infrastructure.

"The FCCA Central America Cruise Summit let attendees meet with and learn from some of the most important decision makers in the cruise industry," told Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation and the FCCA. "The region contains immense potential, and the FCCA seeks to activate it by instilling the necessary operational knowledge and forging invaluable business relationships."

Attendees accessed these key decision makers and their knowledge in a format balancing business sessions and casual interaction, including one-on-one meetings providing chances to promote products and receive individualized input; social functions fostering networking and relationship building; and workshops discussing cruise tourism's economic impact, how to attract cruise vessels and showcase destinations, and what cruise lines seek in destinations' service, shore excursions and infrastructure.

This information was obviously valuable to attendees. Celina Guerra of Discover El Salvador Tours told that she attended all of the workshops, "and they were wonderful with precious information about the industry."

This information also helped the event fulfill one of its main objectives. "The event epitomized one of the FCCA's main goals-to help destinations maximize their share of cruise tourism," said Michele Paige, president of the FCCA. "The event gathered some of the most prominent cruise executives with local stakeholders to establish mutual understanding and business relationships that pave the way for future business."

Additionally, the event showcased Central America and its potential to the executives and proved the region's interest in and dedication to growing cruise tourism. John Nelson of Fun and Sun Tours touched on this and encapsulated the event's success: "The FCCA has done it again. Their endeavor and efforts to include Central America as a multiple cruise ship destination has been a complete success in San Salvador! Thanks for the wealth of knowledge and understanding you provided to this region for breaking into the industry in this summit."