Friday, October 11, 2024 - 11:28 by lisbon
The Port of Lisbon has launched a pioneering initiative called "Cruise for the Community," aimed at strengthening the connection between cruise companies and the local community while promoting social integration and sustainable development. The program seeks to create a positive relationship between the cruise sector and Lisbon residents, fostering sustainable tourism practices and directly involving the community. Carlos Correia, Port of Lisbon BoD Chairman, emphasizes that “the 'Cruise for the Community' program reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable interaction between cruise companies and the citizens of Lisbon. We want the residents to feel the positive impact of this sector, not only economically but also in terms of community engagement and environmental awareness.”
The key initiatives include guided tours of ships for schools, urban and environmental conservation projects in partnership with local organizations, scholarship and vocational training programs, donations of equipment to schools and community centers, and educational awareness sessions. Recently, executives from Carnival UK visited Lisbon to engage with local entities and understand their projects, according to Simon Ashwell, Vice President of Corporate Affairs “each meeting allowed us to understand the variety of local work being done and revealed excellent opportunities for us to collaborate more closely with the organizations we contacted.”
This collaboration aims to enhance community involvement and ensure that the positive impacts of the cruise industry are felt economically, socially, and environmentally in the city.