Press Kit August 2015

Transcription

1 Press Kit August 2015 Founding Members of the Var Provence Cruise Club

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3 Table of contents The Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry: a dynamic actor in favour of the cruise development in Var Provence 1/ What is the Var Provence Cruise Club?...p.4 2/ The Var Provence Cruise Club, what for?...p.4 3/ Its results p.8 Statistics of the cruise activity in Var Provence 1/ Before p.10 2/ Since the launching of the VPCC in p.11 3/ Variation of the cruise activity in Var Provence between 2013 and p.12 4/ Seasonality of the cruise activity in the VPCC ports in p.13 5/ Cruise calls and pax distribution within the VPCC network in p.13 VPCC report for / VPCC - Key figures p.14 2/ The Ports of Toulon Bay Key figures.....p.14 3/ Var Provence : 2014/2015 trends..p.15 4/ The Ports of Toulon Bay: 2014/2015 trends... p : an intense cruise season for the Ports of Toulon Bay 1/ Upmarket companies in the Bay of Toulon...p.16 2/ New alternative at anchor p.17 3/ A new cruise terminal in La Seyne-sur-Mer.....p.18 4/ Forecast p.19

4 The Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry : a dynamic actor in favour of the cruise development in Var Provence 1/ What is the Var Provence Cruise Club? A common banner which brings together 12 cruise ports along the French Med coast: from West to East => Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Sanary-sur-Mer, Bandol, Les Embiez, Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer, Hyères*, Porquerolles, Le Lavandou, Cavalaire, Saint-Tropez, Fréjus* and Saint- Raphaël. * Hyères et Fréjus have recently joined the network in 2014 Launched in 2008, at the initiative of the Var General Council and Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), that entity named Var Provence Cruise Club is managed by the s t a f f o f t h e V a r Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Every year, the dedicated team rolls out a development and action plan aimed at developing the market shares of the destination in the Med, through the scheduling of cruise calls and welcoming of cruise visitors which economic impact benefits the whole Var-Provence territory (coastline and hinterland). 2/ The Var Provence Cruise Club, what for? The VPCC coordinates the Var Provence offer (nautical and touristic) ensuring that it is well adapted and attractive to the cruise market. Boosting the cruise activity in Var Provence is deployed on various levels through promotion and marketing actions, towards the market at large as much as towards local players, these last being mobilized and gathered through field actions (facilitation meetings, awareness ). 4

5 The actions of the club are divided in 3 main fields: Promotion & Marketing Participation to the main cruise exhibitions and conferences Direct prospection of the cruise companies Organization of FAM trips Production of marketing and communication tools Communication Development of the website Media plan (advertising, editorial, etc.) Ships and guests welcome The main goal is to develop the most performant services and the best welcome in order, first, to satisfy cruise lines needs and demands and then, to win customers loyalty (cruise lines and guests) plus, to differentiate the Var Provence destination from its neighbor ports and competitors. This is done by: Developing a «Cruise Friendly» hospitality label Guiding local partners and players in every step of the cruise business development Conducting satisfaction surveys (in order to always better understand the customers needs and implement improvements, when needed) Amongst the most significant actions, one can give as an example the «Cruise Friendly» hospitality label launched in 2013 in Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer. 5

6 The «Cruise Friendly» hospitality Label In that precise case, the goal is to assist the local shops, tourism, culture and leisure providers, in welcoming the cruise guests (by giving them keys of understanding and tips for good practices), in order to optimize the economic impact of the cruise activity but, at the same time, to highlight local businesses. In 2015, 91 local partners agreed to sign the Hospitality Label (70 at Toulon and 21 at La Seyne-sur-Mer); they were 54 in 2014 (+ 68% growth in one year!). What are the commitments of the Cruise Friendly partners? To adapt their opening hours to the cruise calls schedules To be friendly and smiling To offer a discount, a welcoming gift, or a dedicated service To speak English, and at least use common vocabulary in order to facilitate communication To raise the awareness of their staff toward the Cruise Friendly hospitality label philosophy To accept the visit of a mystery customer To communicate the attendance figures linked to the «Cruise Friendly Hospitality label» in order to evaluate its effectiveness To ensure that the Cruise Friendly hospitality label logo is visible from the outside of the establishment so that cruise guests can localize the partners easily 6

7 What are the commitments of the Var Chamber of Commerce towards the partners? To give them keys of understanding of the cruise customer s needs Practical guide with detailed useful information To enhance the partners visibility from the cruise guests: Cruise Friendly shopping & entertainment guide are displayed to the cruise guests when ashore + Cruise Friendly posters and beach flags are implemented at the entrance of the shops/museums... To share the conclusions of the mystery-customer Provencal market, La Seyne-sur-Mer 7

8 3/ Its results Besides getting recognition from the whole industry, through various prizes won during the past years (Seatrade Insider Award 2010, Var Provence «Destination of the Year»; Seatrade Insider Award 2013, Toulon «Port of the year finalist»; Cruise Insight awards 2013, Sanary «Best destination experience, the pearl of the whole South of France») all the actions developed by the Var Provence Cruise Club are reflected by tangible results through a steady growth of the cruise activity in the region % Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer Other VPCC ports VPCC Total 2016 Goal Var Provence Cruise Club: passengers growth from 2008 to 2016 TOULON VAR PROVENCE SANARY 8

9 % 160 Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer Other VPCC ports VPCC Total Goal Var Provence Cruise Club: growth of the calls from 2008 to 2016 Alain Cadi, Var Provence Chairman, receiving the Seatrade Insider Cruise Award Var Provence Cruise Club, Destination of the year

10 Statistics of the cruise activity in Var Provence 1/ Before 2008 an average of 60 calls and pax per year Figures hereafter are given for the Ports of Toulon Bay only, which englobe the port of Toulon City-Center and the port of La Seyne-sur-Mer (as cruise traffic statistics for all Var Provence ports are not available before 2008). Cruise calls in the Ports of Toulon Bay (Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer), Cruise pax in the Ports of Toulon Bay (Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer),

11 2/ Since the launching of the VPCC in 2008 Compared to 2008, a 60% rise in calls with pax welcomed in 2014 (+185%) Calls Ports Variation 2008/2014 Saint-Cyr Bandol Sanary-sur-Mer % Toulon/La Seynesur-Mer % Hyères/Porquerolles % Le Lavandou % Saint-Tropez % Fréjus/Saint % Raphaël Total % Passengers Ports Variation 2008/2014 Saint-Cyr Bandol % Sanary-sur-Mer % Toulon/La Seynesur-Mer % Hyères/Porquerolles % Le Lavandou % Saint-Tropez % Fréjus/Saint % Raphaël Total % 11

12 3/ Variation of the cruise activity in Var Provence between 2013 and 2014 After an excellent year in 2013, the number of calls have decreased slightly in some ports and had a significant growth in Sanary-sur-Mer and Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer, with smaller ships which impacted the number of passengers. Calls Ports 2013 Calls 2014 Calls Variation 2013/2014 Bandol 1 1 = Sanary-sur-Mer % Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer % Hyères/Porquerolles % Le Lavandou % Saint-Tropez % Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël % Total % Passengers Ports 2013 PAX 2014 PAX Variation 2013/2014 Bandol % Sanary-sur-Mer % Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer % Hyères/Porquerolles % Le Lavandou % Saint-Tropez % Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël % Total % More and more cruise ships are calling in Var Provence: +43% Cruise ships Ports 2013 Ships 2014 Ships Variation 2013/2014 Bandol 1 1 = Sanary-sur-Mer % Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer % Hyères/Porquerolles % Le Lavandou % Saint-Tropez % Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël % Total % 12

13 PAX / Seasonality of the cruise activity in the Var Provence ports in 2014 A yearly activity with a concentration of traffic between April and November PAX Calls per month 5/ Cruise calls and pax distribution within the VPCC network in 2014 The leading top 3 ports: Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer, St-Tropez, Sanary-sur-Mer; followed by Le lavandou and Saint-Raphaël. 3% 2% 2% 0% Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer 2% 1% 1% 2% 0% 10% Saint-Tropez 13% Sanary-sur-Mer 49% Hyères/Porquerolles 34% Le Lavandou Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël Bandol 81% Calls PAX 13

14 VPCC report for / VPCC Key figures 253 calls 36 cruise companies pax Calls distribution Toulon/La Seyne 125 Saint-Tropez 86 Sanary-sur-Mer 24 Hyères/Porquerolles 8 Le Lavandou 5 Fréjus/St-Raphaël 4 - Bandol 1 2/ The Ports of Toulon Bay Key figures 125 calls pax turn around pax 21 = back-up calls pax! (Due to bad weather conditions or social movements in neighbor ports) TOP 3 companies Costa Crociere (26 calls) Norwegian Cruises Lines (25 calls) Princess Cruises (13 calls) 14

15 3/ VPCC: trends Growth of the cruise ships volume: the volume of cruise passengers has been slightly reduced in favor of the coming of more upscale cruise lines. Less seasonality: the activity spreads evenly every year a little bit more on the shoulder season and this trend continues in 2015 with numerous calls from April to November inclusive, but also, though more marginally, with calls scheduled during the months of January (2), February (1), March (2) and December (3). Development of quality labels within the VPCC network: acknowledged for the quality of their services and welcome, the ports of Toulon Bay have currently 91 shopkeepers partners members of the Cruise friendly label (a 68% rise compared to 2014); following this successful story, the port of Saint-Raphaël has launched its own Cruise Pass Port welcome quality label, which has been signed by 108 partners committed to ensure the cruise passengers the best experience ashore. Sanary-sur-Mer also gives a V.I.P card to the cruise passengers who disembark in the city. 4/ The Ports of Toulon Bay: trends The Ports of Toulon Bay, leader of the VPCC network - Toulon/La Seyne-sur- Mer confirm their leader position in term of calls and passenger volume. During the 2014 season, Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer passengers accounted for 81% of the VPCC passenger volume, and welcomed 49% of the VPCC calls. Beyond the attractiveness of the destination, this gap is explained by the fact that: The Ports of Toulon Bay are able to accommodate the largest ships thanks to their efficient docking facilities and calls at anchor possibilities. Located in the most sheltered Bay in the Med, the Ports of Toulon Bay are used to welcome unexpected cruise ships that can t berth at their scheduled port primarily because of bad weather conditions. 21 unexpected ships from neighbor ports (Marseille and French Riviera) were rerouted at Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer in 2014 ( pax). Port of call - Aware of the idyllic position of Toulon, Costa maintains the departures of its NeoRiviera and Magica cruise ships from the Ports of Toulon Bay as port of call. The cruise line chose the Ports of Toulon Bay to launch its NeoCollection concept in April In 2015, Toulon has attracted 20 turnaround calls (about pax embarking/disembarking). 15

16 : an intense cruise season for the Ports of Toulon Bay 1/ Upmarket companies in the Bay of Toulon In 2015, 11 cruise ships will visit the Bay of Toulon for the very first time. In comparison with the previous year (7 maiden calls), it represents a 57% growth on maiden calls. Cruise Ships Companies Arrivals Cruise terminal Mein Schiff 3 TUI 14 April La Seyne-sur-Mer Mein Schiff 1 TUI 28 April La Seyne-sur-Mer Viking Star Viking Ocean Cruise 30 April Toulon City-Center Seven Seas Mariner PCH Regent Seven Seas 26 May Toulon City-Center Mein Schiff 2 TUI 31 May La Seyne-sur-Mer Island Princess Princess Cruise 2 June La Seyne-sur-Mer Emerald Princess Princess Cruise 5 June La Seyne-sur-Mer Explorer of the Seas RCI 6 June La Seyne-sur-Mer Riviera PCH Oceania Cruises 14 August Toulon City-Center Adonia P&O 17 October Toulon City-Center T Costa Magica Costa Croisières 27 October La Seyne-sur-Mer Although the cruise schedule is not yet completed, 119 cruise calls are already scheduled in Toulon-La Seyne-sur-Mer for 2015! The visit of new high-end companies, even luxury, has begun in 2014 with the arrival of Cunard and continues in 2015 with the arrival of cruise ships exclusively positioned in the luxury and upscale segments Deluxe and Luxury Cruises 5 8 Viking Star, Celebrity Reflection, Seven Seas Mariner, Riviera, Celebitry Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Azamara Journey, Crystal Serenity Premium Cruises 4 11 Contemporary Cruises cruise ships distribution 16

17 2/ New alternative at anchor To meet the high demand, as its docking facilities are not unlimited, the anchorage alternative, in accordance with the Navy, is allowed in the event that the 2 berths of Toulon City-Center and La Seyne-sur-Mer are occupied. Newsworthy fact: a special call at Toulon On 20 July 2015, from 7am to 7pm, TUI Cruises prestigious ship Mein Schiff 2 (262.5m-long) anchored off the Mourillon beaches in Toulon. Keen to ensure guests had the best possible experience, the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which manages the Ports of Toulon Bay, came up with an innovative way to welcome this first scheduled call at anchor of the year. It decided to transform the Palais du Commerce et de la Mer (PCM), a spacious conference hall, into a temporary cruise terminal. The plan was a success. The first passengers, conveyed by tenders and maritime shuttles, disembarked at the PCM at around 8am. In total, two-thirds of the ship s passengers (1,300 people) went ashore during the day. In line with its strategy to focus on quality, the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry went above and beyond to exceed the expectations of all cruise passengers. This involved setting up a Provencal market, playing French music and putting up useful direction signs. Even the local tourist train was on hand to welcome passengers and offer them the opportunity to have a ride around Toulon and take them to the famous beach quarter of Le Mourillon. Bilingual hostesses also provided information about the tourist attractions of Toulon, and around ten coaches were available to take passengers on excursions to Aix-Marseille, Cassis, Sanary-sur-Mer, Le Castellet, and more. Mein Schiff 2 plans to berth in the Bay of Toulon on 8 September for a second time. Once again, the PCM will be transformed into a cruise terminal to welcome the ship s passengers and crew. 20 th of July, 2015 passengers of the Mein Schiff 2 disembarking at the PCM 17

18 3/ A new cruise terminal in La Seyne-sur-Mer In line with its strategy to focus on quality, the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans the delivery of a new cruise Terminal in La Seyne-sur-Mer in the first quarter of It will accommodate ships, passengers and crew under optimized conditions, especially for turnaround operations. TECHNICAL INFORMATION: - Total surface (pier + terminal building): 6 000m2 - Cruise terminal: 572m2 Including... Boarding area: 100m2 Information point: 20m2 RX inspection, unloading luggage area: 120m2 The cruise terminal pier is able to accommodate 34 buses, 4 check-in desks, a flap for maritime shuttles access August 2015 the cruise terminal under construction 18

19 4/ Forecast 2016 Ports 2015 Calls (scheduled) 2016 Calls (estimates, July 2015) Bandol 9 1 Sanary-sur-Mer 15 6 Toulon/La Seyne Hyères/Porquerolles 15 5 Le Lavandou 6 5 (estimates) Saint-Tropez (estimates) Fréjus/Saint Raphaël Total First visitors for 2016 The cruise ships Sovereign, Mein Schiff 4, Eurodam, Oosterdam, Costa Classica, Celebrity Constellation, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Explorer, and Mein Schiff 5 will call to Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer for the very first time in A total of 9 maiden calls that are to be celebrated in the Ports of Toulon Bay in 2016! Pullmantur = 34 calls TUI = 18 calls Norwegian Cruise Lines = 16 calls Costa Crociere = 10 calls Viking Ocean Cruises = 7 calls 19

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22 Saint-Cyr / Bandol / Sanary-sur- Mer / Six-Fours Les Embiez / Toulon / La Seyne-sur- Mer / Hyères / Porquerolles Le Lavandou / Cavalaire-sur-Mer / Saint-Tropez / Saint-Raphaël / Fréjus Anne-Marie BLUM TEL : MAIL : anne-marie.blum@var.cci.fr // Follow us on Founding Members of the Var Provence Cruise Club