1st Hemispheric Convention on Cruise Tourism and Corporate Social Responsability (8, 9 and 10 April 2015, Mar del Plata, Argentina) NEWSLETTER 1. Background: In the last twenty years the world demand for tourist cruises has registered one of the biggest growth in tourism sector. This permanent dynamism that characterizes the activity of the cruise ships, as well as the increase in countries that include the cruises as a key product for their tourism development has been one of the reasons why the CIP has included cruise tourism as one of the priority areas of the Committee. The cruise tourism in spite of their limited dimension has been showing a rapid process of passenger growth of around 8% annual according to the figures of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It is important to note that in the period from 2003 to 2013, the industry grew by 77 %, moving from 12 million to more than 21 million passengers. The industry is also responsible for a consumption of $117 billion globally and provides more than 891.000 jobs. The relevance to the sector of cruise tourism has in the world economy is undeniable, and this sector needs to develop in a sustainable manner. In this context, more than ever, the consideration of the reaction of the community and the factors that shape their attitude toward the development of cruise tourism is essential to successfully cope with any process of port tourism planning. In this sense, the area of corporate social responsibility of the cruise industry has a great significance in view of the impacts of both positive and negative that might have in the communities, ranging from changes in the social and economic structures, passing by the cultural impact, and the environmental effects. In accordance with the Action Plan of Cartagena adopted in September 2013, - 1 - the Technical Advisory Committee (TAG) on Tourism, Inland Ports and Waterways, Service to Ships and Control of the Navigation should encourage the improvement of services in the area of tourism by promoting the development and modernization of the port systems based on regulatory frameworks and international standards sufficiently flexible, dynamic and reliable which will encourage investment without neglecting the environmental protection and port security. To achieve this objectives the TAG will take into account the experiences and significant participation of the private sector and the cruise industry. This is why within its activities of the TAG it has been proposed, with the collaboration of the Secretariat of the IPF, to organize a conference to exchange good practices in the field of cruise tourism taking into account the practice on corporate social responsibility of this industry. 2. Organizers: The Undersecretariat of Ports and Waterways of Argentina with the support of the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (S/CIP-OAS). 3. Name : “1era HEMISPHERIC CONVENTION ON CRUISE TOURISM AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY” 4. Place and Date of the Convention : It will be held on 8, 9 y 10 of April of 2015 in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The event will take place at the Cruise Terminal of the Port of Mar del Plata. 5. Objectives of the Convention: The Convention will bring together the high authorities of the port and tourism sectors of OAS Member States, as well as cruise industry representatives. Their interaction will provide a forum for Member States to analyze, discuss and exchange successful experiences on policies, strategies and/or actions on cruise tourism and corporate social responsibility. We expect that the Convention will identify consolidated practices that will help to attract the cruise industry and investment, while taking into account the interests of the communities and tourist destinations, the protection of the environment and port security. 6. Language: Spanish with simultaneous English interpretation. 7. Participants: Port authorities from all CIP/OAS Member States; Associate Members of the CIP; officials, executives, experts, specialists and guests of the public and private port sector; industry, commerce, academia and public with an interest in the subject 8. Secretariat of the Convention : The Secretariat of the CIP will be responsible for conducting the convention according to the terms agreed between the organizers. 9. Admission: All those interested in participating in the Convention must complete the attached registration form and send it via e-mail to the Secretariat of the CIP with a copy to the Undersecretariat of Ports and - 2 - Waterways of Argentina. The Undersecretariat of Ports and Waterways of Argentina will issue the corresponding acceptance. Space is limited and free of charge, therefore pre-registration is essential. 10. Points of Contact of the Convention: For the Undersecretariat of Ports and Waterways of Argentina: Juan Chimento National Director of Ports Undersecretariat of Ports and Waterways of Argentina Av. España 2221 4 Piso. Buenos Aires, Argentina Tel: +54 (11) 4-361-59-64 E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] Por la CIP/OEA Jorge Durán Jefe de la Secretaría Comisión Interamericana de Puertos (CIP) Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA) 1889 F Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., 20006, Estados Unidos Teléfono: (202) 370-5465 , Fax: (202) 458-3561 E-mail: [email protected] , Portal: www.oas.org/cip/ 11. Hotel: The Grand Hotel Provincial will be the headquarters of the Convention. This hotel is located in Patricio Peralta Ramos 2502, B7600JUZ Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, telephone 54 223 499-5900. The hotel is located just 10 minutes from the Cruise Terminal in Mar del Plata. 12. Communications: Users may make international phone calls and send faxes from their hotel at their own cost 13. Country entry requirements: Foreigners must carry a valid passport for entry into Argentina. Please check with the Argentine consulate in your country if a visa is required. 14. Currency and exchange rate: The currency in Argentina is the peso. The exchange rate is 8.62 pesos to 1 US dollar. Currency can be exchanged at banks and/or exchange bureaus. 15. Travel arrangements: Travel expenses of the participants should be borne by their respective governments, organizations or individually, as the case may be. 16. Airport: The arrival in Mar del Plata is done via the International Airport Astor Piazzolla. It is located only 10 minutes from the city center. You can also arrive from Buenos Aires using the highway 2 with a duration of four hours (404 km). - 3 - 17. Customs : Customs clearance will be each participant’s responsibility at their point of entry into the country. 18. Climate: The expected temperature in the month of September in Buenos Aires is between 10 and 20 degrees C. 19. Dress code: The usual dress code for working sessions and social events is business attire-smart casual. 20. Electric current: Electric power in Buenos Aires is 220 v. – 60 Hz. 21. Local time: In April, one hour ahead of Washington D.C. 22. Information about the city of Mar del Plata: The port of the city of Mar del Plata is located on the coast of Mar del Plata, in the southeast of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina on the sea of the South Atlantic Ocean. It is an artificial harbor enclosed by two important breakwaters, the North and the South. It is began designing at the end of the nineteenth century and was opened in 1924. It is also overseas port. Reports administratively to a consortium, the security of the territory is in charge of the Prefecture Argentina and the municipality of General Pueyrredon possesses a delegation. It is divided into two sectors: the north and the south, the first divided into three breakwaters and the second in the spring for tourist cruises. The port is mainly fishing, transportation of oil and cereals are secondary activities. It has plans to establish a terminal for passengers and a cargo terminal general to compete with the port of the city of Buenos Aires. Its seat is the Naval Base and the submarine base in the Argentine Navy. Of this force depends on the National School of Fisheries that technical form of this industry. It is also a sightseeing tour. You can visit the Grotto of Lourdes, the reserve of sea lions, the parish church of the Sagrada Familia, the monument to the man of sea and Av Juan B. Justo. - 4 - REGISTRATION FORM I. INFORMATION TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS Country: _____________ Name and Surname: Position : Institution: Phone: Fax: E-mail: Number companion Name of passenger: _____________ Emergency Contact : Name: Phone: E-mail: Date: ____________________ Signature: ____________________ Send this page by email to [email protected] - 5 - HOTEL BOOKING AND FLIGHT INFORMATION PERSONAL DATA Name: Address: City : Country: PHONE: Fax: E-mail: Credit Card: No. Date of expiry: Name on credit card HOTEL Hotel name Room Type Cheek in Cheek out FLYGHTS Arrival Data Airline Flight Number. From To: Departure Data Airline Flight Number. From To: Please complete this form and send it via Email: [email protected] - 6 - .