In recognition of the need for more interactive liaison with the consumer, cruise lines and their partners and its desire to keep abreast and ahead of the industry, Cruise Europe is today relaunching with a completely new website and corporate identity. Dirk Moldenhauer, chairman Cruise Europe, says: “We live in a time where everything changes and develops faster than ever, so we must be able to adapt to what is going on in the world quickly and professionally." Cruise Europe recognises that the web is the only way to provide up to the minute information and also the growing demand for paperless offices.
"We think it is very important to keep up with the trend, especially of US cruise lines, where companies such as Holland America Line are reducing their costs and moving towards totally eliminating all printed matter.” The website will be much more elaborate with over 400 pages and 500 web links. It will include information for the cruise lines, an intranet for the members plus access to information about the Cruise Europe regions and destinations for the consumer.
Additions will be a media gallery, more than 300 FAQs, statements from cruise passengers and a 'what's on' page listing more than 300 events. In the fall, a news service will be introduced online. With 106 members from Nordkapp in the the north to Lisbon in the south of Europe, the association which began in 1991 with 27 ports has issued a brand statement: ”Cruise Europe is an association committed to promoting Northern and Western Europe as a world-class destination. Representing a strong network, it is dedicating marketing expertise to serve both its members and the industry. The unique qualities of each port will be accentuated as Cruise Europe creates the cruise destination of tomorrow.”
Cruise Europe's annual statistics demonstrate the incredible growth taking place in the region. In 2008 7.86m passengers were recorded on 6,333 calls while in 2007 there were 6.44m passengers on 5,684 calls. Despite the global recession, figures for 2009 are coming in strong. Mr Moldenhauer says: "Talking to our member ports, it looks as though the figures for this year will be about the same as 2008 which shows just how well the cruise sector is coping with the financial crisis but also what a popular destination Northern and Western Europe has become." For further information please contact:
Dirk Moldenhauer, Chairman, Cruise Europe
Cruise Europe
c/o Hamburg Cruise Center
Steinstrasse 7
20095 Hamburg
Germany
Phone +49 40 30051 393
Mobile +49 172 443 56 93
Fax +49 40 30051 396
