In November 2021, the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP) and MedCruise formalized their partnership through a memorandum of understanding, thereby launching the Cruises and Port Cities Working Group.
Bring together members of both organizations to promote more sustainable relationships between the cruise industry and urban port communities.
The Working Group is a platform for collaboration among port authorities, municipal representatives, cruise operators, and other stakeholders, aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities of cruise tourism in port cities.
Its main objectives are:
From 2021 to 2024, the group held 13 meetings bringing together cities, ports, public authorities, cruise lines, and international experts. These discussions led to the creation of the Cruise Port City Compass, a strategic document outlining concrete solutions, key challenges, and examples of best practices for better urban management of cruise tourism.This document was officially presented at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami and is now an essential reference for cities and ports committed to a more sustainable coexistence with the cruise industry.
This new phase will focus on two main areas:
To support this work, two external experts will join the group: a representative from a cruise line and a firm specializing in mobility planning.
The Working Group will meet online twice a year (in the spring and fall) and will hold an in-person event in early 2026. A final presentation session will take place at Seatrade Cruise Global in April 2026.
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