The 68th MedCruise General Assembly was held in Palermo from 9 to 12 June 2026, hosted by the Port System Authority of the Sea of Western Sicily Here are the key takeaways:
- The event attracted more than 240 participants, including 27 cruise lines, marking one of the strongest turnouts in the association’s history.
- A record 700+ B2B meetings were held during the assembly.
- The gathering celebrated MedCruise’s 30th anniversary, highlighting 30 years of cooperation among Mediterranean cruise ports.
- 15 new memberships were welcomed into the association.
- MedCruise President Theodora Riga described the event as a “historic moment”, emphasising the strength of the association and looking ahead to future opportunities and challenges in sustainable cruising.
- A special anniversary panel reviewed the evolution of the cruise sector over the past 30 years, focusing on innovation, sustainability, partnership and resilience.
- Professor Thanos Pallis presented the latest MedCruise State of the Industry Report, providing insights into operational trends, market developments and the outlook for Mediterranean cruising.
- The programme included cultural visits, tours and networking events across Palermo and Sicily, along with a gala dinner at Villa Boscogrande and a farewell dinner at Villa Tasca.
- MedCruise reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation, innovation and sustainable growth, aiming to strengthen the Mediterranean’s position as a leading global cruise destination.
