Following a call by the European Commission (Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs & Fisheries), MedCruise has been selected to contribute in the works of the European expert group on Skills and Career development in the Blue Economy.

The task of the group is to advice the Commission on matters pertaining to the education, training, skills and career development within the blue economy. The appointment is effective from November 2016, and for a period of three years.

Cruise ports in the Med and its adjoining seas has been vital for enabling cruise ships to be deployed in European waters, generating more than 40 billion euros and almost 350,000 European jobs every year.

Now, via their association, they will have an excellent opportunity to share updated information and to provide concrete input to the Commission's policy work, thus expanding their contribution to the society.

MedCruise will provide cruise perspectives into the development of the skills policy for the marine and maritime sectors in Europe.

With its members hosting almost 18% of the global cruise passenger movements, MedCruise will also provide a vital support to DG MARE into the implementation of the possible actions planned, through i.e. communication activities.

"Cruise ports in the Med want to create the conditions for the new generation of European citizens to “go maritime” knowing the career opportunities available and having the wanted skills. Given the complexity and variety of the issue, MedCruise, having a more than two decades expertise in advancing cruising, is looking forward to join group representatives from different sectors of the blue economy and represent most effectively the perspectives of cruise ports," said Thanos Pallis, MedCruise Secretary General.