Port News

Passenger port of Saint-Petersburg at Cruise Shipping Miami 2015

On March 16-19, 2015, in Miami Beach, US, took place the 31st annual international cruise exhibition Cruise Shipping Miami. It is the largest event in cruise industry that traditionally gathers representatives of major cruise ports, ship builders, tour operators and ship owners. “Passenger Port of Saint-Petersburg “Marine Fa?ade” PLC together with St. Petersburg City Tourism and Information Bureau and tourism professionals has displayed the capacities of Russia and St. Petersburg for receiving and servicing foreign cruise tourists, including the option of 72-hour visa-free stay for cruise and ferry passengers. Extensive information on main attractions of St. Petersburg, tourist routes and city transport infrastructure was provided as well.

In course of negotiations with cruise lines that were conducted during the exhibition suggestions on the extension of cruise season in the Baltic Sea region were made, particularly highlighting the initiative of “PP SPb MF” PLC on reduction of service prices during the 2015 “low season”. Longer-term scheduling of vessel calls to St. Petersburg was also under close attention, considering the 2018 Football World Cup and the 2020 European Football Championship. It was noted that positioning of the most up-to-date and larger vessels in the Baltic Sea region allows for stable development of cruise tourism in St. Petersburg in the coming years. The activities of “PP SPb MF” PLC within regional professional associations were also actively discussed during the exhibition.

In 2016 the exhibition will be held on March 14-17 in Fort Lauderdale, US. As in previous years, “Passenger Port of Saint-Petersburg “Marine Fa?ade” PLC is planning to participate in the exhibition together with major marine tourism enterprises of St. Petersburg.