Interview with Antoine Lacarrière, Clia Development Manager for France, Belgium and the Netherlands

Companies are organised to receive MICE customers

How is the cruise market doing?

Antoine Lacarrière - It is growing steadily, stimulated by the commissioning of new boats every year and the introduction of new tours. The offer is diversifying, reaching an increasingly wide target. The world market represents 25 million cruise passengers, including seven million Europeans, mainly Germans and British. By contrast, the French market saw a decline in 2017 due to the reduction in activity of certain operators and the closure of Croisières de France, the third largest supplier.

Are cruises suitable for MICE groups?

A.L. - Shipping companies have organised themselves to cater for MICE customers. All the ships have meeting rooms or a theatre that can be used for conferences. The spaces are easily adaptable and can be used for partial or full privatisation, with mini-cruises generally offered with dedicated staff. There is a wide range of options to suit all requirements and budgets.

Is the same true for river cruises?

A.L. - They have a number of advantages over sea cruises, especially for groups: easy access, embarkation/disembarkation in the heart of towns and cities, easily adaptable stopovers and, what's more, rivers that are still untapped, especially in France. The companies have expanded their activities, renovated and enlarged their fleets, and now offer meeting spaces... Like sea cruises, they allow their passengers to drop anchor in both the literal and figurative sense!