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| Local Taxi operators |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 13TH 2006 - St. Kitts and Nevis is being represented at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami.
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority is being represented by Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Christine Walwyn; Product Development Manger, Mr.
Randolph Hamilton and Product Development Officer, Mr. Vincent Branch.
The St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority is being represented by Operations Officer at Port Zante, Mr. Michael Brisbane and Marine Officer, Mr. Nigel Herbert and cruise ship agents, Delisle Walwyn & Company, by General Manager, Mr. Denzil Crooke; Manager of Vessel Logistics, Mr. Jason Brazier; Tour Operator, Amanda Pemberton and Marketing Officer, Jasmine Warner.
Veteran taxi driver, Norris Martin, is also attending in an effort to get a foothold on organising tours.
The convention is said to be the largest annual gathering of cruise line owners, operators and suppliers in the world and attracts travel agents, cruise ship agents, tour companies, tourist boards, port authorities and travel media.
St. Kitts Scenic Railway, whose President and Director, Mr. Steven Hites, is attending, will participate in a session of the conference dubbed: "Shorex:
What's Hot and What's Not," on Thursday.
Participants on that panel include Managing Director-Owner of Atlantik Tours, Gunnar Rafn Birgisson; Director of Tour Operations for Carnival Cruise Lines, Amilcar "Mico" Cascais; Director of Land Programmes for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Darius Mehta; and Vice President of Worldwide Cruise Development for Abercrombie and Kent, David Vass and Shore Excursions and Explorations officer for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, Patrick Schneider.
The representatives of the local organisations are expected promote the Federation's cruise product, provide overall representation for the local industry, facilitate business opportunities and exchange information with cruise lines on upcoming plans in the sector.
The conference officially begins with the State of the Industry Debate on Tuesday. This wide-ranging discussion of the state and direction of the cruise business by cruise industry leaders is a perennially popular event with delegates.
Following welcoming remarks from Managing Director of Seatrade and Conference Moderator, Christopher Hayman; Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association, Andy Stuart and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger services for Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines, Andy Stuart, will give an introductory industry overview.
Representatives of Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc., Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises
(USA) Inc. and Norwegian Cruise Line are on panels.
The skyrocketing increase in the cost of fuel on the international market has resulted in the convening of a panel to discuss the Fuel Economy.
Panelists include Roberto Martinoli, Senior Vice President of Technical, Environmental and Safety Operations for Carnival Cruise Lines, Roberto Martinoli; Principal Consultant for DNV Maritime Solutions Americas, Christian Rafn and Chief Operations Officer of World Fuel Services Corporation, Michael Kasbar.
Panels will also discuss Patterns of Deployment and Crewing Issues, the complexities of Crewing Issues, Procurement and Dealing with Disruptions.
