- The fifteenth International Cruise Summit has concluded at Hotel Meliá Castilla in Madrid.
- Executives from over 25 cruise lines examined artificial intelligence applications in itinerary planning and environmental monitoring.
- Spain recorded over 12m cruise passengers in 2024 with an economic impact of €4.5bn.
- Cruise Lines International Association has projected 37m global passengers for 2025.
The International Cruise Summit concluded its fifteenth edition at the Hotel Meliá Castilla. The event gathered executives from more than 25 cruise lines, port authorities, tour operators, travel agencies, shipping agents and consultancies.
Participants examined trends in artificial intelligence applications, sustainability measures and economic contributions from cruise tourism. Carolina Toledo Martínez de Galinsoga, deputy director general of tourism promotion for the Community of Madrid, and Gustavo Santana Hernández, president of Puertos del Estado, opened the summit. They addressed the role of cruise tourism in Spain, which recorded over 12m passengers in 2024 with an economic impact of €4.5bn euro.
Sessions covered the integration of artificial intelligence in itinerary planning, online sales, operational processes and environmental monitoring. Speakers
- described tools for predictive analytics in passenger preferences and route optimisation.
- discussed the expansion of AI in administrative tasks, such as automated booking systems and crew scheduling.
- heard the luxury market is growing at a rapid pace, with new companies emerging under hotel brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman.
- outlined AI-driven simulations for fuel efficiency, which reduce carbon emissions by up to 15 per cent on select routes.
- reviewed data from the Cruise Lines International Association, which projected 37m global passengers for 2025, a seven per cent increase from 2024 figures.
The summit featured introductions to new cruise lines, including Miray Cruises from Turkey and Aman at Sea, a luxury entrant with expeditions focused on wellness. Representatives from Variety Cruises presented small-ship itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
A session on private islands explored developments by major operators, where cruise companies manage shore excursions to include eco-friendly activities and local procurement. Panelists noted that these sites divert €200m annually in direct spending from communities to a cruise-company controlled environment.
Economic impacts formed a core topic. Omar Al Jaber, chief of the tourism development sector at Qatar Tourism, joined a discussion on the blue economy. Contributors highlighted that cruise arrivals support 500,000 jobs across Europe, with ports receiving €1.2bn in fees and infrastructure investments in 2024.
Abdulrahman Saad Al-Baker, terminal manager at Mwani Qatar, spoke on pre- and post-cruise land programmes, which extend visitor stays by an average of two days and boost hotel occupancy by 20 per cent in host cities.
Sustainability initiatives received attention. Participants reviewed dock electrification projects in Spanish ports, set for completion by 2027, and biofuel adoption targets aiming for 30 per cent of fuel sources by 2030. A presentation on early warning systems for ocean preservation used satellite data to track marine health, enabling route adjustments to avoid sensitive areas. Ceylan Erzi Yaman, marketing director at Global Ports Holding, addressed port investment priorities, including shore power connections costing 50m euro per facility.
Networking events included a quiz sponsored by Bilbao Port, won by Andrew Williamson, head of cruise and ferry at Portsmouth International Port. The summit announced dates for the 2026 edition, scheduled for 10-11 November at the same venue.
Organisers from CruisesNews Media Group say attendance was 400 delegates from 40 countries. Spain’s port system anticipates 13m cruise passengers in 2026, contributing 5bn euro to the economy.
Carolina Toledo Martínez de Galinsoga shared “the role of cruise tourism in Spain” Gustavo Santana Hernández shared “cruise tourism in Spain, which recorded over 12m passengers in 2024 with an economic impact of €4.5bn.”
Ceylan Erzi Yaman shared “port investment priorities, including shore power connections costing 50m euro per facility”
